The Cosmic Soundtrack: Does Consciousness Increase or Decrease the Aesthetic Value of the Universe?

The universe can be an object of aesthetic appreciation, and consciousness may either enhance or diminish its aesthetic value. This paper examines how aesthetic appreciation of the universe changes when consciousness is considered, weighing arguments for and against the idea that consciousness enriches the universe's aesthetic worth.

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Abstract

One can either take consciousness as the absolute focus of appreciation or rather focus on the contribution of consciousness to the aesthetic appreciation of another item. This paper focuses on a specific item to which consciousness might give a significant aesthetic contribution, namely, the universe. First, I will explain in which sense the universe can be an object of aesthetic appreciation. Then, I will consider how such appreciation is affected when consciousness enters the picture. Finally, I will wonder whether consciousness enriches the aesthetic value of the universe, weighing reasons for both the positive and the negative answer to this question.