Art and Experience, Utrecht, © 1996. All rights reserved

Aesthetic idea is Kant's term for (represented) tertiary qualities. He defines an aesthetic idea as ".. that representation of the imagination which induces much thought, yet without the possibility of any definite thought whatever, i.e. concept, being adequate to it...". Aesthetic ideas are recognized by a free play of the cognitive faculties, i.e. neither the senses nor the understanding suffice to grasp an aesthetic idea--these faculties must be supplemented with an imaginative acquaintance. An aesthetic idea supposedly gives the represented a soul, and animates the mind. I argue that this means that an aesthetic idea activates empathetic imagination. (V:1; VI). Cf. ideal of beauty.