Ivanova M, Ritz B, Duque M, Vaidyanathan B. Beauty in experiment: A qualitative analysis of aesthetic experiences in scientific practice.
STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2024;
104:3-11. [PMID:
38359523 DOI:
10.1016/j.shpsa.2024.02.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
A growing literature in philosophy of science focuses on the role of aesthetics in scientific practice, with the experiment recently recognized for its aesthetic value. However, the literature on aesthetics in experimentation grows out of case studies from the history of science, leaving open the question as to how contemporary scientists experience aesthetics in their experimental work. In this paper we offer the first qualitative, empirical analysis of aesthetic experiences regarding experimental practice, drawing from in-depth interviews with 215 scientists in four countries. We identify six categories of aesthetic experience we find in experimentation, their function, and new questions emerging from our study.
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