Single Idea 8109

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / d. Subjective value]

Full Idea

I am not within my rights to declare an object beautiful until I have seen it myself, ..unlike moral judgement, which (arguably) does not presuppose either a felt response or personal acquaintance.

Gist of Idea

Aesthetic judgements necessarily require first-hand experience, unlike moral judgements

Source

Sebastian Gardner (Aesthetics [1995], 1.1)

Book Reference

'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject', ed/tr. Grayling,A.C. [OUP 1995], p.587


A Reaction

Particularists might argue that moral judgements also require exposure to the actual situation, if they are to be authentic and authoritative. We can also discuss principles of aesthetics in the absence of examples.