Kant and the Sociology of Taste

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer refutes the claim that the sociology of taste undermines Kant's theory of pure aesthetic judgment. The writer describes Bourdieu's claim that there is no such thing as disinterested judgment because all judgments are sociologically motivated. The essay goes on to point out that Bourdieu is discussing sociology, which does not encroach on Kant's epistemology at all. Kant acknowledges that aesthetic judgment will be guided by taste, but this will not explain why one is actually moved by beauty, and for this reason he posits the existence of pure aesthetic judgment. The essay analyses Monet's paintings "Impression, Sunrise" and "Blue Water Lilies" in order to illustrate the theme.

From the Paper:

"Kant is a philosopher, and he scarcely encroaches on the field of sociology. Of course a philosopher cannot ignore society. Kant alludes to society when he calls something practical, or contingent. Aesthetic judgment takes place in the context of society, as far as it is motivated by determinate ends. Only that part of it which transcends all determinate ends, and prefigures beauty, in its purity, and in its inexplicableness, may be said to be beyond the bounds of society. The object of Kant's metaphysics is to point out how the contingent is ruled by the transcendental. Therefore, in his epistemology he makes out practical reason to be ruled by pure reason, and in his critique of morality he describes duty as being ruled by the categorical imperative."

Sample of Sources Used:

• BOURDIEU, P., 1977. Outline of a Theory of Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• KANT, I., 1987. Critique of Judgment. Translated by Werner S. Pluhar. Minneapolis: Hackett Publishing.
• MONET, C., 1873. "Impression, Sunrise". Painting. Dimensions: 63 x 48 cm. Type: oil on canvas. Location: Musee Marmottan, Paris, France. Information found at: Monetalia: Claude Monet paintings gallery [online]. Available from: http://www.monetalia.com/paintings/monet-impression-sunrise.aspx [Accessed 19 May 2008].
• MONET, C., 1916. "Blue Water Lilies". Painting. Dimensions: 200 x 200 cm. Type: oil on canvas. Location: Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France. Information found at: Monetalia: Claude Monet paintings gallery [online]. Available from: http://www.monetalia.com/paintings/monet-blue-water-lilies.aspx [Accessed 19 May 2008].

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