This is an overview of the philosophy of dance that is a subset of Western philosophical aesthetics. There is a new, substantially updated and revised full-text version available as of November 2019 available at the Stanford Encylclopedia of Philosophy website.

This paper is an argument for drawing creative practice to the center of philosophical aesthetics. Such an approach would engage philosophical problems that originate from artistic practices. It would also give aesthetics a role in the cultivation of creative practices, both inside and outside of traditional artistic fields. As such aesthetics would begin to engage questions that are pertinent to creativity and the enhancement of artful living.