@article{ART003315130},
author={Jimin Son},
title={Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image},
journal={Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University},
issn={1598-3021},
year={2026},
volume={83},
number={1},
pages={213-242}
TY - JOUR
AU - Jimin Son
TI - Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image
JO - Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
PY - 2026
VL - 83
IS - 1
PB - Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
SP - 213
EP - 242
SN - 1598-3021
AB - This article examines, revises and reconciles divergent conceptions of aesthetic experience and of aesthetics articulated in recent art-historical scholarship on Buddhist arts, and particularly on the “origin” of the Buddha image. It begins with a critical analysis of an Indologist’s conceptualization of “Buddhist aesthetics,” and uses it as a point of departure to propose an empirical account of aesthetic experience that is consistent with Buddhist teachings. Based on this parameter, the article then evaluates the role aesthetic theories play within the relevant art-historical discourse and shows therein how aesthetics is reduced to art theories. As this article observes, such reduction results from efforts to formulate a model for the “origin” of the Buddha image. The debates surrounding this “origin” issue demonstrate the shared problem of communication that underlies both aesthetics and art history. The article proposes that scientifically informed research into the nature of aesthetic experience can provide a productive reconciliatory framework for these debates.
KW - Aesthetic Experience;Valence;Buddhist Image;Gandhāran Art;Origin
DO -
UR -
ER -
Jimin Son. (2026). Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 83(1), 213-242.
Jimin Son. 2026, "Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image", Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, vol.83, no.1 pp.213-242.
Jimin Son "Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83.1 pp.213-242 (2026) : 213.
Jimin Son. Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image. 2026; 83(1), 213-242.
Jimin Son. "Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83, no.1 (2026) : 213-242.
Jimin Son. Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 83(1), 213-242.
Jimin Son. Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University. 2026; 83(1) 213-242.
Jimin Son. Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image. 2026; 83(1), 213-242.
Jimin Son. "Empirical Aesthetics and the History of Buddhist Art: Theoretical Insights from Recent Reflections on the “Origin” of the Buddha Image" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83, no.1 (2026) : 213-242.
