What happens when we reduce beauty to mere pleasure, turning profound aesthetic experiences into consumable commodities? In a society increasingly focused on optimization and functionality, are we losing something essential about what makes us human? And if beauty is a fundamental value—not just a means to happiness or productivity—how do we preserve it in an age of mass production and algorithmic efficiency?

Today's guest is James Shelley, a renowned philosopher and the Sandra and Lloyd Nicks Endowed Professor of Philosophy, known for his in-depth exploration of aesthetics, particularly the nature of aesthetic value, the role of pleasure in aesthetic experiences, and the objectivity of aesthetic judgment. Shelley has served as chair of his philosophy department and currently holds the prestigious position of President of the American Society for Aesthetics. His academic focus blends contemporary and historical analysis, with particular expertise in 18th century aesthetic theory. Through his scholarship and editorial leadership in philosophical aesthetics, Shelley has become a leading voice in understanding how beauty and aesthetic experience shape human flourishing.

In this conversation, we tackle one of our most urgent cultural questions: what happens when aesthetic value becomes subordinated to efficiency and functionality? Shelley argues provocatively that beauty is a fundamental value—valuable in and for itself, not merely as a means to pleasure, community bonding, or cognitive enrichment. This perspective becomes crucial as we examine how mass production, algorithmic optimization, and purely utilitarian thinking are reshaping everything from our homes and possessions to our relationships and communities. We explore the profound difference between approaching objects and experiences through a functional lens versus an aesthetic one—why a handcrafted pan passed down through generations differs fundamentally from a mass-produced equivalent, even if both "work" equally well. Through discussions ranging from suburban housing developments where every home looks identical to the mystery that draws us to classical music, we examine how cultivating aesthetic sensitivity might be essential not just for individual fulfillment, but for preserving our humanity in an increasingly mechanized world.