Subjectivism About Artistic Value

Abstract

In philosophical aesthetics, subjectivism about artistic value is a view that is often discussed in passing. However, a proper subjectivist theory of artistic value has not been presented or defended. In this dissertation, I present a subjectivist theory of artistic value. I argue that the subjectivist theory is superior to the Humean account of artistic value, which is the default view of artistic value in aesthetics. I defend the subjectivist view against the objection that artistic value is objectively connected to moral value. And, I argue that subjectivism explains artworld exclusion of marginalized groups, whereas objectivism is currently unable to provide such an explanation.