Note: This article is an educational tool intended to improve the understanding of aesthetics. It is not about a particular aesthetic.
Philosophy, in the context of an aesthetic, is the social perspective shared by members participating in an aesthetic. It connects to the general attitude of the community, a shared combination of personality traits, and experiences. This includes perspectives on beauty and the human condition and a political, economic, or social statement. People within the aesthetic congregate and share their own opinions in a social circle, which solidifies the philosophical identity within the community. However, different members of that group may disagree and share different opinions. The involvement with philosophy differs among aesthetics, with some aesthetics being completely unconcerned, whereas other aesthetics revolve completely around these conceptual motivations.
Note that this is not the academic study of philosophy, which seeks to answer questions and explore emotions, knowledge, language, reason, etc. This branch does influence philosophies in aesthetics (internet communities, not the study of beauty) but is not studied in rigor by members of aesthetic communities.
Emotion[]
One of the main features of aesthetics are the emotions invoked. These emotions cover an extremely wide spectrum. An an example, Dark Academia can invoke emotions such as mystery and intrigue. On the other hand, Weirdcore can invoke feelings like surrealism. The emotions felt are one of the main factors that go into finding an aesthetic. Some people enjoy Kawaii's soft and sweet feeling, but others may prefer punk's sense of rebellion.
Values[]
Values are another key characteristic of aesthetics. Cottagecore and Goblincore might seem similar on the outside, but Cottagecre values tradition and rejecting modern society, while Goblincore focuses on appreciating things which normally aren't considered beautiful. Many aesthetics that seem similar on the outside are completely different when their values are looked at. Similarly to emotions, these values cover a wide array, perhaps more.
Experience[]
A Traumacore edit that allows people who experienced trauma to vent and create a community.
Certain aesthetics are mainly used as coping mechanisms for those who went through a shared experience. For instance, Traumacore is mainly used by those who have suffered trauma in the past, and use this aesthetic as a way to cope. In this way, experience can help shape the aesthetics you are attracted to.
Gender[]
As society attributes gender to certain aesthetic characteristics, one of the most prominent concerns of people who appreciate aesthetics is if the aesthetic they admire matches their own gender expression and identity. A person's gender is one of the most drivers in what makes a person drawn to a certain aesthetic.
In conservative societies, not conforming to expectations in gender expression, such as a woman being into Punk or a man wearing Pastel, can be seen as strange and even threatened for challenging the community's expectations of gender. Thus, aesthetics can be seen as an act of rebellion and an overt yet mundane way to express one's disapproval about the society and celebrate personal expression.
Aestheticization of Gender[]
Gender
Some people, especially transgender and non-binary people, enjoy aestheticizing their gender identity, or using aesthetics to express it. Reaffirming gender through following a certain aesthetic brings security and happiness to the person who is exploring.
Gender of Communities[]
Some aesthetics tend to have communities of the same gender, or are disproportionately used by people of the same gender. As these communities are based on a shared identity or a shared space, people come to associate certain aesthetics with these groups. This is especially true in alternative fashion being connected to people who are gender non-conforming and liberal in their beliefs due to acceptance being a main belief in these aesthetics.
Sexuality[]
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Lolita is a Japanese alternative fashion created to rebel against their society's sexualization of young women and the minimal, boring life revolving around responsibility given to adult women.
Politics[]
Politics can vary between and within aesthetics. Some aesthetics are apolitical, and others are explicitly political, advocating a specific ideology or group of ideologies. Many aesthetics are not overtly political but develop communities that tend to agree on political issues.
Aesthetics may also have two different political factions who admire the same aesthetic. This can build tension and debate as both sides interpret the other as misrepresenting the aesthetic, such as in the case of Cottagecore and Skinheads. Even though they have the same interests, these communities are divided and do not interact because of their opposite values that would be discussed on their blogs, creating subcommunities such as "trad wife Cottagecore" versus "progressive Cottagecore."
Economics[]
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Materialism[]
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A Save the Turtles sticker, related to the VSCO aesthetic, which advocates for environmentally friendly practices such as metal straws.
Environment[]
As the environmental movement had gained traction over the years, much concern has come about surrounding how to approach sustainability and environmental protection in one's own life. As lifestyles are major components of an aesthetic, many ideas about environmentalism are present in how people approach things like hobbies, purchasing habits, and advocation throughout daily interactions.
Relationship with Reality[]
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An otaku may reject reality and live within the world of fiction, rather than face reality.
Different aesthetics have different perspectives on how to approach to reality depending on ideas associated with romanticism, realism, and escapism.
Romanticization of reality (also called jokingly Main Character Syndrome)
Cynicism vs. Idealism[]
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