Gioco, emozioni e mediazione estetica. Riflessioni sull’estetica di Paolo D’Angelo

Abstract

The article explores Paolo D’Angelo’s philosophical and aesthetic theory, specifically his critique of contemporary theories that equate aesthetic emotions with everyday ones. D’Angelo advocates for the autonomy of the aesthetic experience – characterizing it as both emotional and cognitive – to distinguish it from ordinary emotional states. He argues that this autonomy is vital for the aesthetic’s ethical and cognitive value; otherwise, the boundary between fiction and reality risks being erased. Furthermore, D’Angelo considers the continuity between aesthetic theory and criticism to be essential. Finally, the article applies D’Angelo’s theory to interpret a playing experience.