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Art and Well-Being
Art and Well-Being

Author(s): Kevin Melchionne
Subject(s): Aesthetics
Published by: Helsinki University Press
Keywords: artistic value;well-being;art (definition of);aesthetic experience (psychology of)

Summary/Abstract: Art is commonly thought to promote well-being. Aestheticians, however, have not considered how art plays this role. Over the past quarter century, there has been considerable research in positive psychology, the empirical study of subjective well-being (SWB). This research has resulted in robust findings on the factors promoting well-being. In this paper, I consider the findings for SWB in contemporary psychology in order to identify how art supports well-being. I also explore the implications of SWB theory for aesthetic theory and arts policy.

  • Issue Year: LIV/2017
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 189-211
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: English