Nika’s review of Of the Standard of Taste > Likes and Comments

de gustibus non disputandum est

Or, in other words, one doesn't dispute taste, just regret it!

A nice review, as always, Nika.

PS:
Have a Happy New Year. That 2026 brings you only good things.

Lovely review, Nika. Yes, it does seem like today many people can't unlink their view of a historical work from today's moral standards. If it doesn't come up to liberal, maybe even "woke" standards, they say it's very hard for them to read or they declare it disgusting trash.

Seems Hume was seeing the same argument that excluded so many people from voting for so long. Only if you were well-educated and had time to hear and think about all the candidates up for election could you make a good decision on who to vote for. Working class people and women lacked the education and time (and perhaps interest?) to do that. They had jobs to go to, and/or were largely motivated by emotion b/c of the lack of logical training.

If given the vote, they would make horrible decisions and vote in populist criminals because they couldn't make out a difference between a smooth talker and a genuine candidate. (And indeed, how quickly did fascists gain power after universal suffrage in Europe? Not entirely wrong, that idea)

Hume seems to be attaching that type of "educated gentleman" as being free from emotions/bias to ideas of art, instead of politics. But in doing that, doesn't he just make his argument look rather silly? A painting does not ruin the economy. A novel doesn't invade its neighbours. A song doesn't jail political opponents.

That is, I think we can both see his argument and where it has giant holes, right?

Intriguing review. Happy New Year

Nika,
You put a lot of thought into this handsome review. The depth of it is fantastic.

Excellent and interesting review! Thank you, Nika! :) Happy New Year, I wish you many great books.

Such a well thought out first read 2026 review Nika, thank you for sharing :)

Paulo (not receiving notifications) wrote: "de gustibus non disputandum est

Or, in other words, one doesn't dispute taste, just regret it!

A nice review, as always, Nika.

PS:
Have a Happy New Year. That 2026 brings you only good things."

Great quote! I'll keep it in mind.

Thanks so much for your friendship, Paulo! May this year bring you many positive experiences, both reading-wise and life-wise.

Berengaria wrote: "Lovely review, Nika. Yes, it does seem like today many people can't unlink their view of a historical work from today's moral standards. If it doesn't come up to liberal, maybe even "woke" standard..."

Thanks so much for reading and adding such interesting feedback, Berengaria. Your insights help us look at this text from a different angle and highlight the fact that there's quite a lot to unpack in Hume's essay.
Yes, some people don't seem to understand or they refuse to accept that the past was very much different from modern ethics (not to mention that different people today can have very different ideas of what's "good" or "bad", and the whole concept is flexible). Trying to apply a modern liberal lens to history is simply ridiculous. From what one can read, some historians today tend to treat history as if they are time-traveling policemen, criticizing the distant past for not aligning with 21st-century values or even "woke" ideology. That's not a healthy approach, for sure. I mean, maybe refraining from reading older texts if you're not ready to accept them for what they are is somewhat reasonable.

Now that I think about it, I find your reflections on the 'pros' of limiting voting rights in connection with the themes raised in this essay very pertinent. Hume's arguments support the idea that excluding many people from voting may be beneficial in some ways. I see why this approach may seem tempting, having its rationale, but in my view, it is tricky and has some serious flaws. Looking back on history, well-educated people too have made terrible decisions and fallen prey to extremists, demagogues, and populists. We see this again in our current times. Education isn't an antidote to demagogy and tyranny. What else does one need to possess to choose their own leaders wisely and responsibly? Openness of spirit? Strong ethical principles? Highly developed empathy? And who would decide whether someone has these commendable qualities?

A painting does not ruin the economy. A novel doesn't invade its neighbours. A song doesn't jail political opponents.
Excellent points. And I can definitely see deep holes is some of his arguments.

Linda wrote: "Intriguing review. Happy New Year"

Thanks so much, Linda. Happy New Year to you and yours!

Stacey B wrote: "Nika,
You put a lot of thought into this handsome review. The depth of it is fantastic."

Thanks so much for your kind words, Stacey! Happy New Year! Wishing you many good things and fascinating reads in 2026.

I think Hume is a great choice to start the new year!

Alexandra wrote: "Excellent and interesting review! Thank you, Nika! :) Happy New Year, I wish you many great books."

Thanks so much for your comment, Alex! I hope this year brings you plenty of engaging books to read!

Baba wrote: "Such a well thought out first read 2026 review Nika, thank you for sharing :)"

Thanks so much for visiting this review, Baba :) Happy New Year to you.

Skallagrimsen wrote: "I think Hume is a great choice to start the new year!"

I'm glad I read this thought-stimulating essay.
Happy New Year to you.

My first thought about being an art critic and how to judge is possibly the reason for the saying, art is subjective. I know I would never pretend to be a critic. Feels very true though how you describe some being more qualified, and the true thoughts on a being a novice. May not be fair for him to say some have better taste though, lol. I surely like your thought on improving our own selves Nika. Great review!

I’d be a horrible art critic. There are so many details that I miss or things that just go right over my head. Reminds me of an episode of a Belgian sitcom that centered around a painting that symbolized the rise of cynicism something something. And the painting was literally like four stripes on an otherwise empty canvas. Then again, isn’t part of the appeal of art that anyone can see whatever they want in it? Anyway, good review, Nika. Sounds like a solid enough start of the new year. Though I do hope the next book you’ll pick will be more to your taste.

You have such a wide range of tastes in books, and I truly appreciate that. What you mentioned about not depending on experts and instead forming our own opinions really stood out to me. I've never been concerned with what critics have to say about music, movies, TV shows, or books. It's simply not possible for people to be completely unbiased, and many so-called experts have their own motives when they critique things. Some art is ahead of its time, and history has demonstrated that many renowned artists, especially painters, were so innovative that critics failed to grasp their work and mocked their art. Maybe the same could apply to us who write book reviews. lol Fantastic review, my friend!

Excellent review, dear Nika! Your wisdom seeps through your words. I am with you, it is better to experience art for ourselves rather than rely on experts to help formulate your opinions. No matter what, an opinion is always subjective and rarely universal. That said, abstract art is one area where I do need experts; I cannot interpret anything otherwise! 🤭