"What is important, then, is not that the critic should possess a correct abstract definition of beauty for the intellect, but a certain kind of temperament, the power of being deeply moved by the presence of beautiful objects"
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Walter Pater's quote from his work highlights the significance of subjective experience and psychological resonance over intellectual abstraction when appreciating appeal. Pater suggests that the essence of valuing beauty does not depend on a scholastic or stiff meaning that pleases the intellect or follows established norms. Rather, what really matters is a person's capacity to feel and be deeply moved by beauty through personal experience and level of sensitivity.
Pater seems promoting for an approach to art and beauty that prioritizes sensation and instinct over strict, objective analysis. This viewpoint aligns with the aestheticism motion, which values art for its appeal and psychological impact rather than for a didactic, ethical, or practical purpose. By focusing on "a particular type of personality", Pater highlights the value of an individual's capability to be responsive and available to the affective qualities of charm, suggesting that such level of sensitivity is crucial for real gratitude.
In saying that the critic must possess "the power of being deeply moved", Pater indicates that the true worth in engaging with charm originates from an emotional and personal connection to the things rather than an intellectual critique that may dissect or classify it. This viewpoint challenges the notion of universal standards of appeal, proposing instead that charm is a deeply individual and subjective experience that differs from one person to another.
Pater's commentary motivates readers and critics alike to cultivate a personal connection to art and charm, to enable themselves to be affected emotionally and viscerally. It champions the belief that the effect of charm is lessened when constrained by stiff definitions or simply intellectual pursuits. Eventually, his viewpoint welcomes a more customized, genuine technique to the appreciation of art and the stunning items on the planet around us.
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