Titlu: THE CATHARSIS OF AFFECTS AND THE THEORY OF CAUSATION. A REINTERPRETATION OF THE ARISTOTELIAN THEORY OF AESTHETICAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract:In this study I propose an interpretation of the role the concept of κάθαρσις plays in Aristotle’s philosophy as a whole and a sense in which we could talk about a “purging” of emotions through aesthetical experience in the field of fine arts. In order to reach this goal, I will try to argue two theses: 1) that there can be no unique aesthetical definition of κάθαρσις, because Aristotle treats this notion as a “conceptual metaphor” rather than a definable concept; 2) that there is a link, suggested by Aristotle himself, between κάθαρσις and the theory of causation, and that we can speak κατ’ ἀναλογίαν about a certain kind of finalism of the “aesthetical causality” that has, as one of its moments, the idea of “purging”.

Keywords: Aristotle, catharsis, aesthetics, philosophy of art, causation, aesthetical experience

Publicația: Revue Roumaine de Philosophie, Tome 64, nr. 1 

Anul Publicării: 2020