We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.
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This course introduces students to major aspects in contemporary aesthetics through the work of three important figures in 20th century continental philosophy: Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. Each session focuses on a key text or concept - Deleuze’s logic of sensation and art’s affective power, Rancière’s “aesthetic regime” and the politics of art, and Lyotard’s notion of the sublime and postmodern critique of representation. These approaches challenge traditional understandings of beauty, spectatorship, and meaning, offering a radical rethinking of what art does in the world.
What will we cover?
• Deleuze and Aesthetics: Sensation, affect, and the creative logic of art, focusing on Francis Bacon: The Logic of Sensation and selections from A Thousand Plateaus. • Rancière’s Politics of Aesthetics: The “distribution of the sensible” and the role of art in reshaping political perception, including readings from The Politics of Aesthetics and The Emancipated Spectator. • Lyotard and the Sublime: Postmodernism, the crisis of representation, and the aesthetics of the unpresentable, with selections from The Postmodern Condition and Lessons on the Analytic of the Sublime.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand key contemporary concepts such as sensation, intensity, the aesthetic regime, and the postmodern sublime. • Critically engage with philosophical texts and their implications for art, media, and politics. • Apply these aesthetic theories to contemporary artistic practices and cultural phenomena. • Participate in informed discussions around the philosophical foundations of aesthetics in the present day.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is designed for students who have some prior exposure to modern or contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, or art theory. In general, an open mind and willingness to listen to ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will adopt a seminar style, offering students ample opportunity to discuss and debate. Short excerpts will be provided to read during class and at home.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students will be expected to engage with readings at home each week. Texts will be supplied by the tutor, and there will be no expectation to purchase them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in Daniel's next courses, Introduction to Marxism (HP214), and Philosophy and technology: the birth of the internet and AI (HP276).
Daniel holds a PhD from the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy (CRMEP), where he wrote his dissertation on the work of philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Daniel specializes in 20th and 21st century Continental Philosophy, particularly the works of Deleuze, Michel Foucault, and Jacques Derrida. His teaching is defined by an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to critically engage with complex philosophical ideas and apply them to broader questions in politics, aesthetics, and cultural theory. Daniel strives to create an inclusive and stimulating environment where students are encouraged to think critically, directly engage with philosophical texts, and explore new possibilities for understanding the world.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/philosophy-and-aesthetics2599260Philosophy and aestheticshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/h/philosophy-and-aesthetics-hp244-1080.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy/Courses/vm/Contemporary Culture Courses in London2285117714041579171712285117714041653<p>We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.</p>153056107Philosophy and aesthetics239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/h/philosophy-and-aesthetics-hp244-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP244239239Philosophy and aesthetics191155239Daniel Weizmanphilosophy-and-aesthetics/hp244-2627<p>We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-15 00:00:00<p>This course introduces students to major aspects in contemporary aesthetics through the work of three important figures in 20th century continental philosophy: Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. Each session focuses on a key text or concept - Deleuze’s logic of sensation and art’s affective power, Rancière’s “aesthetic regime” and the politics of art, and Lyotard’s notion of the sublime and postmodern critique of representation. These approaches challenge traditional understandings of beauty, spectatorship, and meaning, offering a radical rethinking of what art does in the world.</p><p>We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.</p><p>• Deleuze and Aesthetics: Sensation, affect, and the creative logic of art, focusing on Francis Bacon: The Logic of Sensation and selections from A Thousand Plateaus.<br>• Rancière’s Politics of Aesthetics: The “distribution of the sensible” and the role of art in reshaping political perception, including readings from The Politics of Aesthetics and The Emancipated Spectator.<br>• Lyotard and the Sublime: Postmodernism, the crisis of representation, and the aesthetics of the unpresentable, with selections from The Postmodern Condition and Lessons on the Analytic of the Sublime.<br></p><p>Understand key contemporary concepts such as sensation, intensity, the aesthetic regime, and the postmodern sublime.<br>• Critically engage with philosophical texts and their implications for art, media, and politics.<br>• Apply these aesthetic theories to contemporary artistic practices and cultural phenomena.<br>• Participate in informed discussions around the philosophical foundations of aesthetics in the present day.<br></p><p>The course is designed for students who have some prior exposure to modern or contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, or art theory. In general, an open mind and willingness to listen to ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.</p><p>The course will adopt a seminar style, offering students ample opportunity to discuss and debate. Short excerpts will be provided to read during class and at home.</p><p>Students will be expected to engage with readings at home each week. Texts will be supplied by the tutor, and there will be no expectation to purchase them.</p><p>You might be interested in Daniel's next courses, Introduction to Marxism (HP214), and Philosophy and technology: the birth of the internet and AI (HP276).</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual191239155HP244NONEThu15/10/26 - 03/12/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetDaniel WeizmanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-15T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities239239Philosophy and aestheticsphilosophy-and-aesthetics/hp244-2627<p>We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-15 00:00:00<p>This course introduces students to major aspects in contemporary aesthetics through the work of three important figures in 20th century continental philosophy: Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. Each session focuses on a key text or concept - Deleuze’s logic of sensation and art’s affective power, Rancière’s “aesthetic regime” and the politics of art, and Lyotard’s notion of the sublime and postmodern critique of representation. These approaches challenge traditional understandings of beauty, spectatorship, and meaning, offering a radical rethinking of what art does in the world.</p><p>We explore key contemporary forms of aesthetics through the writings of renowned French philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Rancière, and Jean-François Lyotard. The course critically examines how art, sensation, and politics intersect in a changing world of perception and media.</p><p>• Deleuze and Aesthetics: Sensation, affect, and the creative logic of art, focusing on Francis Bacon: The Logic of Sensation and selections from A Thousand Plateaus.<br>• Rancière’s Politics of Aesthetics: The “distribution of the sensible” and the role of art in reshaping political perception, including readings from The Politics of Aesthetics and The Emancipated Spectator.<br>• Lyotard and the Sublime: Postmodernism, the crisis of representation, and the aesthetics of the unpresentable, with selections from The Postmodern Condition and Lessons on the Analytic of the Sublime.<br></p><p>Understand key contemporary concepts such as sensation, intensity, the aesthetic regime, and the postmodern sublime.<br>• Critically engage with philosophical texts and their implications for art, media, and politics.<br>• Apply these aesthetic theories to contemporary artistic practices and cultural phenomena.<br>• Participate in informed discussions around the philosophical foundations of aesthetics in the present day.<br></p><p>The course is designed for students who have some prior exposure to modern or contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, or art theory. In general, an open mind and willingness to listen to ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.</p><p>The course will adopt a seminar style, offering students ample opportunity to discuss and debate. Short excerpts will be provided to read during class and at home.</p><p>Students will be expected to engage with readings at home each week. Texts will be supplied by the tutor, and there will be no expectation to purchase them.</p><p>You might be interested in Daniel's next courses, Introduction to Marxism (HP214), and Philosophy and technology: the birth of the internet and AI (HP276).</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyconfigurable
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