Weekly Blog #3 Enlightenment Theory and Criticism

Burke talks about the sublime as did Longinus, but he calls our attention to aesthetics. He says that we don’t give up acquired taste, but we need to in order to get back to our natural taste. This concept is interesting because, as we discussed in class, everyone has their own opinions as to what is beautiful, due to our experiences which form opinions which form natural tendencies to like or dislike something, calling it beautiful or repulsive, pleasant or unpleasant. He says “the power of distinguishing between the natural and the acquired relish remains to the very last.”
So as he implies there is a difference between our natural and acquired taste. But I would interject, is it even possible that we can perceive what our “natural taste” is since from the moment we are born, we start experiencing, and so forth? Also, since each person is unique, wouldn’t each person’s “natural taste” be different as well? Burke doesn’t think so. He says that “there is in all men a sufficient remembrance of the original natural causes of pleasure, to enable them to bring all things offered to their senses to that standard, and to regulate their feelings and opinions by it.”
Hegel talks about the master and slave concept. I would have to say that the way these two would be able to be on the same level of respect would have to be their relationship. If the master befriends the slave, would the slave not respect the master and therefore, if anything, work harder and enjoy his job a little more due to his care for his master? And wouldn’t the master grow compassion and enjoyment toward his slave, thus naturally treating him humanely?