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For the perception of the beautiful we have the term…

“For the perception of the beautiful we have the term "taste"--a metaphor taken from that which is passive in the body and transferred to that which is active in the mind.” quote by Thomas Reid
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“For the perception of the beautiful we have the term "taste"--a metaphor taken from that which is passive in the body and transferred to that which is active in the mind.”

Thomas Reid

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Taste is a metaphor linking bodily sensation with mental judgment, suggesting aesthetic appreciation arises from a passive‑active transfer.

In simple terms: Taste connects bodily feeling to mental judgment of beauty.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that aesthetic judgments involve both sensation and thought.

Themes

aesthetics perception metaphor philosophy

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical theoretical

When to use this quote

  • art criticism
  • design evaluation
  • personal preference
  • cultural taste

Key Concepts

sensory experience mental representation subjectivity

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you think taste is innate or learned?
  • How does bodily sensation influence your judgments?
A Different Perspective

Taste can be culturally biased, not purely sensory.

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