How Art Works A Psychological Exploration

"How Art Works explores puzzles that have preoccupied philosophers as well as the general public: Can art be defined? How do we decide what is good art? Why do we gravitate to sadness in art? Why do we devalue a perfect fake? Could 'my kid have done that'? Does reading fiction enhance empaty? Drawing on careful pbservations, probing intreviews, and clever experiments, Ellen Winner reveals surprising answers to these and other artistic mysteries."--Jacket.