----- Original Message -----
From: "GEOFF CREALOCK" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:22 PM
Subject: [5] Re: Appreciating art
Mike: With regard to the sophisticated aspect of Hume's position: How
would you view the success of breeders of Afghan hounds who, I understand,
have, through scientific breeding procedures developed representatives of
the breed which conform in an outstanding way to the demand by judges of
the breed that the dog's heads be particularly narrow, presumably a
standard of beauty or aesthetics but also resulting in members of the
breed demonstrating limited intelligence? Aesthetics trumps health?
Geoff C
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Hume would say that there are theoretical judges who are knowledgeable about
the standards of breeding Afghan hounds, sensitive to the nuances of that
particular art form and impartial who would be able to judge the merits of
the breed.
You can read Hume in a theoretical way and interpret what he has to say as
an odd way of saying that there are theoretical standards in aesthetics.
Or, you can read him in a very practical way and interpret him as suggesting
that if you want to know which Afghan hounds are aesthetically valued, then
go ask some impartial expert in that field.
My Hume-Lite position is that there may be experts and standards in the
field, but I suspect they will only be illuminating or helpful, not
determinative in the mapping or ranking of aesthetic value to particular
animals.
I don't know what to say about the problem that "beautiful" animals may also
be dumb. Either the intelligence of the animal is part of the breeder's
aesthetics or it is not. If so, they have a higher aesthetic value for
pinched faces than for smart dogs. If the intelligence of the animal is not
part of the aesthetic formula, then I would conclude that they value the
aesthetics of the animal over the intelligence of the animal. Its a matter
of value, but I cannot tell whether the valuing is all aesthetic or not.
Mike Mallory
