The Aesthetic Turn in Physics: 4 Ugly But Working

Not all theories that successfully account for phenomena are aesthetically pleasing. Some are empirically adequate yet lack symmetry, simplicity, or elegance. In modern physics, these theories are often marginalised or de-emphasised — a phenomenon we might call 'ugly but working.'

The aesthetic turn establishes selective pressure. Theories that conform to prevailing notions of beauty gain attention, resources, and credibility; those that do not are quietly sidelined, even when they are functionally successful. The mechanism operates structurally: aesthetic conformity substitutes for predictive or explanatory engagement, guiding the community toward models that satisfy formal or visual criteria rather than solely empirical adequacy.

This asymmetry is revealing. It underscores that aesthetics in physics is not merely ornamental; it functions as a structural filter, shaping which theories thrive and which fade. Empirical success alone is insufficient; the theory must also satisfy the community’s aesthetic standards to be recognised, stabilised, and amplified.

By examining 'ugly but working' theories, we can see the consequences of aesthetic substitution. Structural legitimacy is maintained through formal and rhetorical virtues rather than empirical engagement. The cut between theory and world is managed socially and symbolically: beauty becomes a gatekeeper, defining which theories are credible, communicable, and institutionally supported.

This dynamic mirrors patterns we have seen in predictive drift: both aesthetic and predictive criteria act as surrogates, sustaining theoretical authority in contexts where direct instantiation is limited, delayed, or structurally challenging.