Single Idea 23898

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality]

Full Idea

Writers and readers who cry out that immorality is not an aesthetic criterion need to prove, which they have never done, that one should apply only aesthetic criteria to literature.

Gist of Idea

Those who say immorality is not an aesthetic criterion must show that all criteria are aesthetic

Source

Simone Weil (Literature and Morals [1941], p.146)

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'Late Philosophical Writings' [Notre Dame 2015], p.146


A Reaction

I take the first criterion of literature that it not be boring, and I don't think that is an aesthetic matter. A lot must be achieved before a work can even be considered for aesthetic judgment. Being deeply offensive might rule it out.