The Sense of Beauty: Being the Outlines of Aesthetic Theory

by George Santayana

"The Sense of Beauty: Being the Outlines of Aesthetic Theory" by George Santayana is a book on aesthetics published in 1896. Written initially as a practical necessity for tenure at Harvard, this work redefines beauty not as divine inspiration but as "objectified pleasure"—a human experience rooted in the senses. Santayana explores how pleasure intertwines with perception to create beauty, examining the materials, forms, and expressions that evoke aesthetic experience. His naturalistic approach challenged traditional philosophical views and influenced modern aesthetic theory.