At the center of Michael Spicher’s work is a single practice: the study and application of aesthetics and philosophy as a formative force in human life, culture, and decision-making. He brings more than two decades of study and practice to understanding how aesthetic conditions shape judgment, often before decisions are articulated. 

As an advisor and philosophical counselor, he helps leaders see the forces shaping perception, coherence, and value in moments where judgment feels uncertain. The work takes two primary forms: 

• Aesthetics Advisory for Organizations: tailored guidance that orients leadership to aesthetic conditions influencing decision-making, culture, and behavior. 
• Philosophical Counseling for Individuals: structured reflection on ethical, professional, or existential questions, helping individuals clarify principles and responsibilities over time. 

Much of his work grows out of Aesthetics Research Lab, a public research practice Michael founded in 2016 to explore how aesthetics permeates everyday life and why that matters. The research informs both advisory and counseling engagements, grounding them in philosophical depth rather than personal taste or trend. 

Michael also writes and teaches on aesthetics and philosophy at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Boston Architectural College. He co-edited the first academic volume on Digital Fashion (Bloomsbury, 2024) and is currently writing Is Your Business Beautiful?, a book examining how aesthetic judgment shapes organizational life. His writing and interviews appear across academic, industry, and cultural publications, including BeautyMatter, where he has been a monthly columnist since 2022.

After earning his Ph.D. in philosophy (University of South Carolina) with a focus on aesthetics, philosophy of art, and political thought, Michael has continued to develop a practice that bridges research, reflection, and lived organizational conditions. He is based in Boston.