Knowing What It’s Like

Abstract This chapter is about the so-called Acquaintance Principle in the epistemology of aesthetics. It defends the view that rational aesthetic appreciation requires acquaintance with aesthetic properties. It challenges the Object View, which holds that pedigreed aesthetic judgment must be based on direct contact with the specific object that is the work of art. Instead, the chapter develops the Properties View, which maintains that acquaintance with aesthetic properties themselves is sufficient. The chapter addresses common objections to the Aquaintance Principle, such as the role of forgeries, surrogates, and abstract works, and argues that the Properties View avoids the objections. The chapter reframes the central epistemic achievement in aesthetics as knowing what it’s like—emphasizing the importance of experiential access to aesthetic properties rather than physical access to particular objects.