(October 13, 2018 at 1:51 am)Mr.Obvious Wrote: By what method do you suppose to calculate this ranking?
That's a key question.
First, I don't think I'm aiming at calculation in the sense of using a numerical formula or assigning a quantifiable score. So that's a good point. Science uses the language of math to describe actions in nature, but I don't think that's reasonable for the arts.
This means that unlike quantifiable stuff, like which runner is fastest or which system is most efficient, judgment in the arts will always be fuzzier. Especially in close cases, like discussing whether Rembrandt's 1660 self-portrait is better or worse than his 1669 self-portrait, no decimal-place result will come out in the end to settle the matter forever.
Maybe the way to think about it is: in purely preferential statements, like chocolate over strawberry, no reasons can be given for the choice. But in arguing for the superiority of one work of art over another, we can make arguments based on reasons. The debate can proceed based on reasonable persuasion.
