Research Group
in Analytic Philosophy

Abstract

The horror genre (in film, literature etc.) has been the subject of much debate in contemporary, analytic philosophy of art (and beyond), for its seemingly paradoxical aesthetic appeal. In this talk, I address the much less investigated question of the nature of the affective response, if there is one, that is at the heart of the horror genre. Beyond its intrinsic interest, I also hope that a good answer to this question can help to make more progress in the paradox of horror debate, as well as show one way in which philosophy of art can be helpful to the philosopher of mind.