Call for Papers: Digital Aesthetics and Virtual Worlds

The Philosophy Journal of Aesthetics invites submissions for a special issue on "Digital Aesthetics and Virtual Worlds," exploring the philosophical implications of digital art, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies in contemporary aesthetic theory.

Issue Theme

As digital technologies increasingly shape our aesthetic experiences, fundamental questions arise about the nature of art, beauty, and creative expression in virtual environments. This special issue seeks to examine how digital media challenges traditional aesthetic categories and opens new possibilities for philosophical inquiry.

We are particularly interested in work that bridges theoretical philosophical analysis with concrete engagement with digital artistic practices, virtual environments, and AI-generated content.

Suggested Topics

We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Digital Art and Ontology

• The ontological status of digital artworks
• Authenticity and reproduction in digital media
• The persistence and identity of digital objects
• NFTs and the commodification of digital art

Virtual and Augmented Reality

• Aesthetic experience in virtual environments
• Embodiment and presence in VR/AR
• The phenomenology of virtual worlds
• Immersive storytelling and narrative aesthetics

Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

• Machine creativity and artistic agency
• AI-generated art and questions of authorship
• Algorithmic aesthetics and computational beauty
• Human-AI collaboration in creative processes

Interactive and Participatory Media

• Aesthetics of video games and interactive fiction
• User-generated content and collaborative creation
• Social media and distributed aesthetic practices
• Digital performance and live streaming

Technology and Aesthetic Theory

• Digital media and traditional aesthetic categories
• The transformation of aesthetic judgment online
• Platform aesthetics and algorithmic curation
• Digital preservation and aesthetic continuity

Submission Guidelines

Abstract Submission (Due January 15, 2025)

• 500-750 words describing your proposed contribution
• Clear statement of thesis and methodology
• Brief bibliography of key sources
• Author bio (150 words max)

Full Paper Submission (Due April 30, 2025)

• 6,000-8,000 words (including notes and bibliography)
• Anonymous submission for peer review
• Follow standard academic citation format
• Include multimedia elements if relevant

Review Process

All abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors for initial selection. Authors of accepted abstracts will be invited to submit full papers, which will undergo double-blind peer review. The review process emphasizes:

• Philosophical rigor and theoretical sophistication
• Engagement with both aesthetic theory and digital practices
• Originality of argument and contribution to the field
• Clarity of expression and accessibility to interdisciplinary readers

Guest Editors

Important Dates