Mariagrazia Portera on Aesthetic Habit and Biodiversity Conservation

Mariagrazia Portera, an aesthetics researcher at the University of Florence, discusses her book "La bellezza è un'abitudine" (Carocci, 2021), which proposes a longitudinal study of aesthetic development through the concepts of habit and habitus. Portera argues that aesthetic attitude is not innate but cultivated over time through repetition and practice, drawing on Aristotle's hexis and ethos. She collaborates with biologist Leonardo Dapporto on projects investigating the role of aesthetic bias in conservation strategies for endangered species, using European butterflies as a case study. The project Unveiling (www.unveiling.eu) collects data on aesthetic preferences affecting species protection decisions. Portera distinguishes between habitus (a flexible, embodied disposition) and habit (automatic repetition), emphasizing their dynamic interplay. She highlights the social dimension of aesthetic development, referencing Ellen Dissanayake's work on infant-caregiver interactions and the concept of developmental niche. The interview was conducted by Davide Dal Sasso.