If I say a thing is beautiful, how can I convince you that certain properties of that thing are in fact beautiful? By properties I mean actual physical elements. I can measure a rock by many methods, analyze it by several methods, and none of these will ever reveal the element that constitutes beauty, unquestioningly, to all, regardless of their interest or indifference. We may acquire habits or shared opinions and project them to the object, pretending that they are instead being projected to us. But that has never been demonstrated except as pretense, as in "that rock is beautiful". We know that is a false statement because we could never locate what actual ingredient in the rock is the beauty ingredient, with or without our approval. It is a short hand way of saying I feel a sensation of the beautiful, as I understand beauty, somehow evoked (via cultural conditioning and personal prejudice) by that rock even though I know the rock does not have that sensation itself. There must be some subtle aspect of your claim to the contrary since you say you approach data by means of a reasoned scientific methodology. OK, take me through a reasoned methodology that leads me to conclude that there is a secret beauty particle independent of my noticing it or caring about it; that is, independent of my subjectivity. wc
----- Original Message ---- From: Boris Shoshensky <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 1:33:48 PM Subject: Re: Reading Dutton Chapter 4 : Thought Experiments I learned to assume nothing. My statements are based on reasoning in a scientific methodology of data analysis I am able to absorb; plus experience dealing with arts from many angles. What reasoning supports your view? Boris Shoshensky To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Reading Dutton Chapter 4 : Thought Experiments Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:10:03 -0800 (PST) What reasoning supports your view? Or do you simply assume that your preference is true? wc ----- Original Message ---- From: Boris Shoshensky <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 1:02:38 PM Subject: Re: Reading Dutton Chapter 4 : Thought Experiments "The debate over the intrinsic magic or aesthetic nature of objects is pointless even though we'd like it to be otherwise." wc I tend to think otherwise. Boris Shoshensky ____________________________________________________________ Stock Options Click to learn about options trading and get the latest information. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=bTiUGU2hYbAMsWu0-KHkswAAJ1Gc l_zTaptgNR5c8Mer1v9kAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQlgAAAAA=
