beauty changes everything
Theories of beauty and taste have a long history in philosophy. However, new research—from neuroscience to organizational management to user experience and product design—has heightened our understanding about how aesthetics influences everyday decisions and actions.
Keeping a pulse on all that is new in aesthetics, ARL serves as a think tank to bring together different sectors engaged with aesthetic questions and solutions.
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From 1958 to 1982, two adept philosophers—Monroe Beardsley and George Dickie—debated each other through their books and articles about the nature of aesthetic experience. By seeing the different attempts at an understanding and their respective critiques, it helps us to work through our own notion of what it means to have an aesthetic experience. I … Continue reading Aesthetic Experience: A Debate
People prefer what is familiar to them. Scholars call this the “mere exposure effect.” Philosopher Bence Nanay explains: “The more you are exposed to something, the more you tend to like it. Just the mere exposure to something changes your preferences. And this happens even if you are not aware of what you are exposed … Continue reading Seeking the Familiar with a Twist
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).
Michael is an excellent and inspiring speaker. His talk illuminated the value of aesthetics for contemporary business practice, showing how considering beauty is relevant for business competition and success.
Jadranka Skorin-Kapov
Director, Center for Integration of Business Education & Humanities (CIBEH)
Stony Brook University
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
