The members of this group all share the view that art is based in sentiments. They're talking about the ultimate foundation of art, the basis of the human aesthetic response, regardless of the specific character of the artwork in question. These smarty-pants all hold that beauty is an indescribable "power" in objects that causes us to have a certain pleasurable sentiment.

Sad to say, this is a philosophical club—which means there's lots of talk about the idea of literature, but very little discussion about actual books. That would be far too mundane a topic for this crowd, if you please. You are advised to attend meetings only if you enjoy endless, hyper-intellectual conversations about how the intellect is not really that important.

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury
Founder and President

Lord Shaftesbury originated moral sense theory, the idea that moral claims are grounded in emotion or sentiment, as opposed to reason or intuition. He held that there is a close connection between morality and aesthetics, so he extended his moral theory to art as well.

By the way, don't let that Lord title put you off—this is one fun-loving guy. Why, he even published something titled "An Essay on the Freedom of Wit and Humor." Now, we're not saying it was exactly funny, but still…

Francis Hutcheson
Vice President

Hutcheson, like Shaftesbury, put forward a version of moral sense theory, which he also extended to aesthetics. He arguably had more influence on Hume's thinking than Shaftesbury, but Shaftesbury came first, so he gets to be president. Besides, he was an actual earl. How many other groups can actually address their president as "Lord" with a straight face?

Adam Smith
Treasurer and Good Friend in Times of Need

Everyone knows Adam Smith was an economist, but he also did important work in moral theory, as well as in aesthetics. Like all card-carrying members of this club, he advocated the idea of a moral sense. Beyond that, like Hume, he carved out a key role for the notion of "sympathy" in morality and aesthetics.

You can always count on Adam Smith. He'll even hold you with his invisible hand.

Abbé Jean-Baptiste Dubos
Resident Holder of a Cool Name

Although Dubos is not that well known, especially in the English-speaking world, he was a key influence on Hume. Hume loved him some French philosophers, and they loved him back.

Carolyn Korsmeyer
Resident Living Humean

In case you thought that everyone in this club lived in the 18th century, we present Korsmeyer to you. She's defending Hume's aesthetic theory right here in the 21st century. It should be noted that there are indeed a whole slew of contemporary philosophers who continue to discuss Hume's views on art— Peter Kivy, Ted Cohen, Mary Mothersill, and Noel Carroll, to name a few. Alas, there were strict limits on the number of members of this group.