Illustration by Andreas Hykade. Courtesy of Chris Robinson.

Last month we checked out some philosophical takes on what art is and why people do it. Now that we've determined that basically anything made by humanity is art, we can turn our attentions to judgement and specifically how we determine what we like and don't like.

We are always judging STUFF: I don't like this. I don't like that. Thumbs up. 4 stars. This tastes like shit (a strange statement because it implies the classifier is familiar with the taste of shit -- and even then there are different types -- man, woman, child, dog, cat, bird). This is beautiful. This is ugly. These are pronouncements of taste. Taste is subjective. Feeling and Knowledge are taste's guides.

What is Judgement? (Kant)
Brain = thinking/feeling/desire
Thinking = understanding/judgement/reason

Understanding = Halle Berry is a woman. Women are human.

Reason = I see Halle Berry + my penis rises = I find Halle Berry attractive.

Judgement = Halle Berry is a hottie.

Judgement = reflective and determinant

Determinant = Halle Berry has boobs (particular) = Halle Berry is a woman (universal)

Reflective = Halle Berry is a hottie (particular) = Women are hotties (NO universal) = what is a hottie? (Need to find a universal)

When u judge u go through 4 processes or "moments:"

1. Detached — You don't "lose yourself" in the movie but still find it pleasurable.
2. Universal — I expect you to share that belief.
3. Multiple meanings — Walt Disney wanted to tell a love story. I like the design. You like the story. Halle likes the acting.
4. Necessity — I want to convince you philistines that my judgement is right.

Detachment + Universal + Multiple Meanings + Necessity = Common Sense

Common Sense = Common Cognitive Reactions

(e.g. "Check out Tex Avery's Magical Maestro, you'll laugh your ass off.")

experience of art = experience of life = ethics?