Best Aesthetics Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Aesthetics Books offers a wide selection of books covering various aspects of aesthetics, including art, design, and philosophy. From classic works by renowned philosophers to contemporary writings by emerging artists, the collection is carefully curated to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Whether one is a seasoned expert or a curious beginner, Aesthetics Books has something for everyone. The books are available in various formats, including hardcover, paperback, and e-books, making them accessible to readers worldwide. With its commitment to quality and excellence, Aesthetics Books is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the study of aesthetics.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists Cover#TOP 1
Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists
ftb score rating icon9.9
The Beauty of Everyday Things (Penguin Classics) Cover#TOP 2
The Beauty of Everyday Things (Penguin Classics)
ftb score rating icon9.8
Beauty: A Very Short Introduction Cover#TOP 3
Beauty: A Very Short Introduction
ftb score rating icon9.6

Top 10 Aesthetics Books

Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists

Diogenes the Cynic
Hard, Robin
Oxford University Press
May 16, 2012
Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists Cover
Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists
ftb score rating icon9.9
FTB Score

This book, "Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists," presents a unique edition of the life and teachings of Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher. The book covers his successors, including Crates, Hipparchia, and Bion, and also includes the contrasting teachings of the Cyrenaic school. The author, Robin Hard, is known for his translations of Greek mythology and his expertise shines through in this well-researched and informative book. The book is part of the Oxford World's Classics, which provides accurate texts along with expert introductions, notes, bibliographies, and other valuable features. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy and ancient Greek culture.

#TOP 2

The Beauty of Everyday Things (Penguin Classics)

Yanagi, Soetsu
Penguin Classics
Oct 8, 2019
The Beauty of Everyday Things (Penguin Classics) Cover
The Beauty of Everyday Things (Penguin Classics)
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The Beauty of Everyday Things is a timeless classic that defends the value of craft and the beauty of imperfection. Soetsu Yanagi's philosophy of folkcrafts highlights the importance of natural, simple, and sturdy objects that fulfill our practical needs while also being aesthetically pleasing. Yanagi's unerring eye influenced generations of makers, and his notion of Zen and the art of design continues to inspire designers who shape our everyday world. This Penguin Classic is a must-read for anyone interested in design history and criticism books.

#TOP 3

Beauty: A Very Short Introduction

Scruton, Roger
Oxford University Press
Apr 8, 2011
Beauty: A Very Short Introduction Cover
Beauty: A Very Short Introduction
ftb score rating icon9.6
FTB Score

"Beauty: A Very Short Introduction" by Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty and what makes an object beautiful, whether it's in art, nature, or the human form. Scruton examines differing judgments of beauty and whether there is a right judgment to be made about it. The book is thought-provoking and accessible, drawing conclusions that may be controversial. Scruton's prose is exquisite, and the book is well-illustrated. Overall, this is a fascinating and absorbing read that will help readers find greater meaning in the beautiful objects that surround them.

Kant’s Humorous Writings: An Illustrated Guide

Clewis, Robert R.
Carroll, Noël
Bloomsbury Academic
Nov 12, 2020
Kant’s Humorous Writings: An Illustrated Guide Cover
Kant’s Humorous Writings: An Illustrated Guide
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

Kant’s Humorous Writings: An Illustrated Guide is a unique and engaging book that challenges the common perception of Immanuel Kant as a humorless philosopher. Author Robert Clewis offers a fresh perspective on Kant's personality, presenting thirty of his humorous anecdotes, jokes, and quips. Each of the thirty excerpts is illustrated and supplemented by historical commentaries, providing the reader with a better understanding of their significance. The book also features a foreword by Noël Carroll on Kant's theory of humor. Overall, this book is an enjoyable and informative read that sheds new light on Kant's philosophy and personality.

#TOP 5

Distinction (Routledge Classics)

Bourdieu, Pierre
Routledge
Dec 13, 1986
Distinction (Routledge Classics) Cover
Distinction (Routledge Classics)
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Distinction by Pierre Bourdieu is a thought-provoking read that delves into the social pretensions of the middle class and their tastes and preferences. Bourdieu argues that taste is not pure and that our aesthetic choices are all distinctions made in opposition to those made by other classes. This book is a vast ethnography of contemporary France and a dissection of the bourgeois mind, and it sheds light on the power relations and symbolic system that underlie the social world. Overall, Distinction is a fascinating and informative work that provides a unique perspective on the study of culture.

#TOP 6

Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction

Butler, Christopher
Oxford University Press
Jan 16, 2003
Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction Cover
Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

This book, titled "Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction," provides a clear and concise exploration of postmodernist ideas and their impact on contemporary society. The author, Christopher Butler, offers a critical analysis of the ways in which postmodernism has influenced various fields, including philosophy, politics, ethics, and art. The book is part of the Very Short Introductions series, which combines wit, accessibility, and style to offer a beginner's guide to complex topics. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand the key concepts of postmodernism and their significance in today's world.

#TOP 7

Saving Beauty

Han, Byung-Chul
Steuer, Daniel
Polity
Nov 13, 2017
Saving Beauty Cover
Saving Beauty
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

Saving Beauty by Byung-Chul Han is a thought-provoking exploration of the paradox of beauty in our consumerist, digital age. The author argues that our obsession with the superficial aspects of beauty has led to its loss of transcendence and a kind of "pornography" of beauty. Han reclaims beauty as a manifestation of truth, temptation, and even disaster, urging us to embrace a generative, creative aesthetic that encompasses negativity and injury. This wide-ranging and profound book will appeal to anyone interested in cultural and aesthetic theory, philosophy, and the impact of digital media on our understanding of beauty.

#TOP 8

Ancient aesthetics

Tatarkiewicz, Wladyslaw
De Gruyter Mouton
Apr 1, 1970
Ancient aesthetics Cover
Ancient aesthetics
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

Ancient Aesthetics is a philosophical book published by De Gruyter Mouton that explores the concept of beauty in ancient times. The book takes a comprehensive approach to the subject, examining the views of various philosophers and thinkers from different ancient civilizations, including Greece, India, and China. It covers a range of topics such as the nature of beauty, the role of art, and the relationship between beauty and morality. Overall, the book offers a fascinating insight into how ancient societies perceived and valued beauty. It is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, aesthetics, and cultural studies.

#TOP 9

Art and Visual Perception, Second Edition: A Psychology of the Creative Eye

Arnheim, Rudolf
University of California Press
Nov 8, 2004
Art and Visual Perception, Second Edition: A Psychology of the Creative Eye Cover
Art and Visual Perception, Second Edition: A Psychology of the Creative Eye
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

The book "Art and Visual Perception, Second Edition: A Psychology of the Creative Eye" by Rudolf Arnheim is a classic in the fields of art and psychology. The author describes how the visual process is organized by the eye according to specific psychological premises. The book has been translated into fourteen languages and is considered one of the most widely-read and influential art books of the century. The writing is clear and direct, and the numerous illustrations are powerful. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the intersection of art and psychology.

#TOP 10

Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime, A MusiComic Manifesto

Wang, Ge
Stanford University Press
Sep 11, 2018
Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime, A MusiComic Manifesto Cover
Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime, A MusiComic Manifesto
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime, A MusiComic Manifesto is a photorealistic comic book that explores the nature and meaning of design. Ge Wang, the author, takes readers on a journey through the aesthetic dimensions of technology, breaking down concrete case studies in computer-mediated toys, tools, games, and instruments. Wang implores us to embrace technology not purely as a means to an end, but in its potential to enrich life. The book is an aesthetic manifesto of technology that is accessible yet uncompromising, and it is a must-read for designers, artists, and anyone interested in the intersection between technology and art.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the study of aesthetics?

aesthetics, also spelled esthetics, the philosophical study of beauty and taste. It is closely related to the philosophy of art, which is concerned with the nature of art and the concepts in terms of which individual works of art are interpreted and evaluated.

2. What is aesthetic theory?

Aesthetic theories define artworks as artifacts intentionally designed to trigger aesthetic experiences in consumers. Aesthetic experiences are experiences of the aesthetic qualities of artworks.

3. What is beautiful in aesthetics?

1 What Is Beauty? The term “beauty” is customarily associated with aesthetic experience and typically refers to an essential quality of something that arouses some type of reaction in the human observer — for example, pleasure, calm, elevation, or delight.

Editor's Notes

During our aesthetics book research, we found 1,200+ aesthetics book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,407 customer reviews through our big data system to write the aesthetics books list. We found that most customers choose aesthetics books with an average price of $11.99.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.