The Phenomenology of Aesthetic Judgment and Universal Taste

Aesthetic Experience, Aisthesis, and Hermeneusis

The set of aesthetic experiences includes *judgments* (or *judicative acts*) and moments of catharsis. *Aisthesis* (sensory perception) includes, in turn, a *hermeneusis*—that is, a dimension of assessment and interpretation. This evaluative-judgmental activity is assigned to taste, corresponding with the rehabilitation of the lower faculties: sensation and feeling.

Axiological Intuition and the Perceptual-Evaluative Act

Axiological intuition, which accompanies sensible intuition and perception, forms a unified experiential, perceptual-evaluative act. Perception (sensible intuition) gives us the object (nature), which is a correlate of the act, always incomplete and open. The thing appears *foreshortened* and as sensitive material, revealing some aspects while hiding others.

Valuation, Perception, and Immediate Presentiality

Both assessment and perception are potentially fallible. Valuation is always realized within an act of perception, which captures the true, where the object is given immediately (corporeally). In our experience, we estimate a fulfillment of what is given as valuable; there is a real uptake of value (the value is given in immediate *presentiality*).

This valuation is an attribute of the second order, hence the need for it to always accompany perception, as perception represents the foundational enabler. **Every act of perception is an act of valuation.**

Consequently, the object of consciousness estimates the value of the entity; axiological consciousness is motivated by the hierarchy of values, and so on. This experience is depicted in compliance with the act of imagination rather than theoretical experience, where we merely have a representation of the values and the agency itself.

Note that this fulfillment (compliance) is always given as an act of perception, which provides its corporeal presentiality and uptake.

The Material of Perceptual-Axiological Estimates

The matter of perceptual-axiological acts or estimates consists of sensible feelings. This matter for the estimate is formed by adding the data of the senses that constitute the material basis.

Objectification of Value

The world consists of objects or things that hold meaning for humanity. An object can be axiologically negative, positive, or indifferent. Understanding helps to objectify the value, contributing to its objectification and habitualization. There is a right or wrong inherent in the estimate.

Axiological Horizon and Ecumenical Taste

Experience serves as the axiological and teleological horizon. It allows estimates to tend toward an ever more perfect and consistent evidence.

Individual taste is based on preferences, assessments, or established criteria. However, taste must strive to be **ecumenical**—not merely epochal, culturally, or spatially restricted (i.e., that which appeals universally).

Aesthetics attempts to contribute to an ecumenical aesthetic awareness, enabling us to appreciate the infinite wealth of works available. It must achieve a universal, ecumenical sensitivity and taste.

• The paradox: Good taste is having no taste (in the restrictive sense).
• Each work has its unique place, beauty, and time.
• The goal is reaching an aesthetic understanding that resists domination, as the territory of art is freedom.