Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
The Theoretical Landscape of Environmental Aesthetics: From Appreciation to Obligation
YinJi UPSI, Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan bin Idris
10 January 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 1, pp. 47-52
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06
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What is this article about?
Environmental aesthetics has emerged as a vital philosophical subfield investigating our aesthetic engagement with nature and the environment. This article traces the theoretical development of the discipline from its eighteenth-century roots through contemporary debates.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 10 January 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 1, pp. 47-52
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
Environmental aesthetics has emerged as a vital philosophical subfield investigating our aesthetic engagement with nature and the environment. This article traces the theoretical development of the discipline from its eighteenth-century roots through contemporary debates. It examines three central issues: the historical foundations of environmental aesthetics in concepts of the sublime, beautiful, and picturesque; the fundamental tension between cognitive approaches emphasizing scientific knowledge and non-cognitive approaches privileging emotional and imaginative experience; and the complex relationship between aesthetic value and environmental ethics. The article further explores recent developments including everyday aesthetics, the challenge of appreciating human-impacted environments, and the implications of climate change. By synthesizing these theoretical perspectives, the article demonstrates that environmental aesthetics is not merely abstract philosophy but a critical mode of inquiry with profound implications for understanding human-nature relationships and environmental responsibility in the Anthropocene.
Keywords: Environmental aesthetics, Aesthetic appreciation of nature, Environmental ethics, Cognitive vs. non-cognitive aesthetics, Sublime and picturesque.
Cite this article
YinJi UPSI, & Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan bin Idris (2026). The Theoretical Landscape of Environmental Aesthetics: From Appreciation to Obligation. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(1), 47-52. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06
@article{YinJi2026,
title = {The Theoretical Landscape of Environmental Aesthetics: From Appreciation to Obligation},
author = {YinJi UPSI and Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan bin Idris},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {47-52},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
YinJi UPSI, Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan bin Idris.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 1, pages 47-52, published by EP Journals Group on 10 January 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06).
How do I cite this article?
APA: YinJi UPSI, & Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan bin Idris (2026). The Theoretical Landscape of Environmental Aesthetics: From Appreciation to Obligation. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(1), 47-52. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E1/2026-06
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