aesthetic judgment constitutes a Geschmacksurteil, Geschmack being a
value which exists as "das Beurteilungsvermogen eines Gegenstandes
oder einer Vorstellungsart durch ein Wohlgefallen oder Mififallen ohne
alles Interesse" (Kant 1996). In contrast to Lessing, Kant's discussion of
beauty centers on nature and not human form. For him, nature's beauty
is free and perfect. Human beauty, which he calls ideal beauty, is
dependent on the imaginative faculties. He defines human beauty as
follows: "Allein die Schonheit eines Menschen setzt ein en Begriff vom
Zwecke voraus, welcher bestimmt, was das Ding sein soil, mithin einen
Begriff seiner Vollkommenheit, und ist also blofi adharierende
Schonheit" (Kant 1996). Since the concept and physical form of "man" is
determined by man's shape and purpose, human beauty cannot be the
free beauty of nature. It remains dependent on the concept it defines.
Ideal beauty also consists and exists as an expression of the moral.
Morality forms the basis of man's beauty because without it beauty
would cease to be universal and to give the observer pleasure.2
Ugliness constitutes a less redeemable phenomenon within the
Kantian system. Beauty generates Lust, whereas ugliness should by
virtue of the binary opposition elicit Unlust. Kant provides ample
discussion regarding the concept of Unlust, or displeasure. He defines it
thus: "Unlust [ist] diejenige Vorstellung, die den Zustand der
2 "An dieser [menschlichen Gestalt] nun besteht das Ideal in dem Ausdrucke des Sittlichen, ohne welches
der Gegenstand nicht allgemein und dazu positiv (nicht bloB negativ in einer schulgerechten Darstellung)
gefallen wlirde" (Kant 1996).
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