How should we ordinary people read art criticism?

―Some consequences of the recent controversies on ideal critics and aesthetic value―

Abstract

   In recent analytical aesthetics, there have been many attempts to revisit the conventional theories of ideal critic and aesthetic value. In this paper, I review the current trends to critically examine the traditional theories, and consider the question of how we should listen to experts' opinions.

   I introduce, firstly, Hume’s arguments in his “Of the standard of taste” and, secondly, review Jerrold Levinson’s some recent papers on ideal critics. Thirdly, I examine the recent objections against hedonism of aesthetic value. I especially focus on Dominic Lopes’s network theory and clarify its merits and motivations. Lastly, I give some answers to the question of how we should read art criticism. We should read art criticism with an eye on what the critics are achieving and which competences of them are shown there.