Aesthetic Benevolence

ABSTRACT While non‐moral varieties of goodness (e.g., aesthetic, epistemic and prudential) are readily recognised by philosophers and non‐philosophers alike, the philosophical literature generally suggests that benevolence is a uniquely moral phenomenon. I argue, however, that our interpersonal practices display a range of instances of aesthetic benevolence, and that this observation stands to enrich our understanding of the relation between moral psychology, aesthetic experience and aesthetic community. I illustrate this point via discussion of the evaluative attitude that is the fitting response to being the target of another's manifestation of aesthetic benevolence, namely aesthetic gratitude.