Single Idea 20409

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 3. Taste]

Full Idea

It is ridiculous if someone justifies his tast by saying 'this object is beautiful for me'. . .If he pronounces that something is beautiful, then he expects the very same satisfaction of others: he judges not merely for himself, but for everyone.

Gist of Idea

When we judge beauty, it isn't just personal; we judge on behalf of everybody

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Judgement I: Aesthetic [1790], CUP 7 5:213), quoted by Elizabeth Schellekens - Immanuel Kant (aesthetics) 1

Book Reference

'Key Thinkers in Aesthetics', ed/tr. Giovannelli,Alessandro [Continuum 2012], p.63


A Reaction

For Kant this would also be the hallmark of rationality - that we expect, or hope for, a consensus when we express a rational judgement. But this expectation is far less in cases of beauty. We do not expect total agreement from very tasteful people.

Related Idea

Idea 20408 With respect to the senses, taste is an entirely personal matter [Kant]