Aesthetics shapes more than art—it influences how we think, feel, and act.
From neuroscience to product design, a growing body of research shows that beauty and form impact our everyday choices.

Aesthetics Research Lab (ARL) tracks these insights across disciplines—connecting philosophy, design, technology, and culture to explore how aesthetic thinking drives meaning and behavior.

We act as a think tank and hub for interdisciplinary dialogue—bringing together voices from philosophy, neuroscience, design, and business to reimagine the role of aesthetics in contemporary life.

📬 The ARL Weekly
Philosophical insights on aesthetics—applied to how we lead, create, and live. Weekly reflections on beauty, meaning, and the tradition behind them.

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Articles

The Look of Power: Exploring Political Aesthetics

Posted on by Michael R Spicher

When we think about politics, we often focus on laws, institutions, or debates. But philosopher Crispin Sartwell, in his book Political Aesthetics, invites us to reconsider this narrow view. Politics, he argues, is inseparable from its sensory and visual dimension—the images, styles, symbols, and rituals that shape how power is experienced and understood. Not all … Continue reading The Look of Power: Exploring Political Aesthetics →

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Projects

Aesthetics is a central motivation for human action. Yet, we continue to pretend that aesthetics is just an afterthought. Drawing from the history of aesthetics and current research in neuroaesthetics and beyond, ARL offers consulting, research, and speaking to show how aesthetics can make a difference in your work and life.

Featured work includes moderating a webinar on “Art and Aesthetics in the Healthcare Environment” for the project Applied Neuroaesthetics (NY); creating a workshop for the Executive Design Studio, called “Is Your Business Beautiful?”(LA/NY); leading a workshop for teens at a nonprofit graphic design studio, Artists for Humanity (BOS); and collaborating on digital fashion and aesthetics with the think tank Fashion Forward (NY).

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Testimonials

I’ve taken several classes from Michael Spicher.  I can’t say enough about his abilities. He’s a wonderful teacher and a sensational speaker.  He presents his material in a clear and concise way that makes his subjects understandable and relevant to all his students, no matter their level of prior knowledge or experience.  He’s a personable, articulate man with a terrific sense of humor.  I would go to one of his classes or attend one of his lectures in a heartbeat.

Gary K. Wolf

Creator of Roger Rabbit

Gary K. Wolf – Creator of Roger Rabbit

The aesthetic dimension of business and business leadership is more than a matter of appearances.  It is a matter of insight and the essential underpinnings of what we perceive, how we think and what and how we create.  Michael Spicher’s insights run deep and he communicates them from a place of active inquiry.  He is a scholar, but also an explorer, an honest broker of ideas and well worth listening to.

John Cimino

President & Founder, Creative Leaps International

John Cimino

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