Norberto Grzywacz: Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder or an Objective Feature of Things?

Norberto Grzywacz spoke at the DASER on Art + Brain on September 20, 2018. Grzywacz is Dean, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Professor of Neuroscience and Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC The most fundamental debate in the philosophical theory of beauty is whether it is subjective (in the eye of the beholder) or objective (stemming from properties of the beautiful thing). Brain science suggests that it is both. Whereas Darwinian evolution pushes towards objectivity, learning allows for cultural and individual subjectivity. DASER is a monthly discussion forum on art and science projects in the national capital region. DASER strives to provide the public with a snapshot of the cultural environment of the region and to foster community and discussion around the intersection of disciplines. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the DASER events are those of the panelists and speakers and do not necessarily reflect the positions neither of the National Academy of Sciences nor of Leonardo. For more information on upcoming DASER events please visit www.cpnas.org. To learn more about the work of the National Academy of Sciences visit http://nationalacademies.org/