The essay begins with the idea that genius and taste cannot be strictly reduced to rules. They are not definable things, but rather subjective impressions based on feeling and intuition. In art, taste, life, and speech, decisions are made based on feeling and impression, not reason or rules. These impressions are formed from countless instances and experiences, which may not be consciously remembered but still have a powerful impact.
Nature does not follow rules, but rather suggests them. Reason is the interpreter and critic of nature and genius, not their law-giver and judge. Common sense is the result of unconscious impressions and experiences stored in memory. Genius and taste rely on the same principle but are exercised on a higher level and in more unique combinations.
Sir Joshua Reynolds argues that art addresses the imagination and sensibility of the mind. Theories that try to control art based on false rational principles are false and delusive. The effect on the imagination is the true test of the truth and efficacy of artistic means. There is a sagacity in life and art that goes beyond reason and intuition. It is based on accumulated experience and observations, even if the specific materials that gave birth to an opinion are forgotten.
The first impression something makes on the mind should not be forgotten. It is the result of the artist’s accumulated experiences and should be valued over narrow, argumentative theories. Reason ultimately determines everything, but there are times when reason must give way to feeling.
The author discusses the concept of common sense and its relationship with reason and instinct. The author argues that common sense is a practical wisdom that is formed through the association of ideas and is based on experience and feeling. Common sense acts as a check against sophistry and suspends rash judgments.
The author criticizes reason when it is not employed to interpret nature and improve common sense. The author emphasizes the importance of separating prejudice from truth and the need for patience in reasoning. Common sense is distinguished from vulgar opinion and is not a test for abstract, speculative opinions.
The author acknowledges that common sense can be influenced by political and religious forces. The author instructs mankind is best achieved by teaching them to think rightly on indifferent matters rather than pointing out their mutual errors.
Expression in art and human behavior is not governed by rules, but rather by feeling and the association of ideas. Certain looks or expressions can convey specific emotions or traits of character, even if they cannot be precisely defined. The interpretation of expressions can be influenced by small or seemingly insignificant details, which reveal underlying principles at work.
Subtlety and refinement in expression can have a powerful impact, even if they are not immediately noticeable. Different circumstances can give different meanings to the same look or expression. Expression cannot be reduced to a pre-established system or set of rules, as it depends on ever-changing circumstances and individual interpretation.
Nature does not conform to regular patterns or molds when it comes to expression. The ability to understand and interpret expressions relies on a keen sense of observation and awareness of the feelings and movements associated with certain situations or emotions. Genius or originality in art and thought often stems from a strong quality in the mind that resonates with something new and striking in nature.
Imagination is the ability to carry a feeling into different situations, based on the hold that feeling has on the mind. The strength and consistency of imagination depend on the depth of feeling. Milton and Shakespeare are examples of imaginative geniuses who incorporate their own feelings and character into their works.
Rembrandt is praised for his originality in seeing and portraying the real world in a new way. Wordsworth is described as an egotist who finds inspiration in his own thoughts and past experiences.
Wordsworth’s poetry is seen as a new style that explores the power of habitual sentiment and association. Despite personal disagreements, the writer acknowledges Wordsworth’s merits as an original-minded poet. The concept of proper originality is questioned, with examples of artists borrowing from others and the debate over genius in art.
Capacity and genius are not the same. Capacity refers to the quantity of knowledge one possesses, while genius refers to the quality and mode of acquiring knowledge. Capacity is the power over given ideas, while genius is the power over ideas that are not given and do not follow obvious rules. A person with capacity may have a retentive memory and clear understanding, but that does not make them a genius.
The admirable Crichton had prodigious capacity but lacked genius. Genius lies in the indefinite and unknown, in discovering new and valuable truths. Nature has many aspects, and a person of genius can draw out one of them. Originality is highly valued because it sheds new light on things and is unique to the individual. The value of any work is judged by the quantity of originality it contains.
There are two types of writing: compilation, which collects and states existing knowledge, and individual reflection, which adds to existing knowledge and explores new observations or feelings. It is unfair to expect a connected and regular view of a subject to be all new. Mediocrity and lack of character are the greatest faults. Rare genius is not determined by acuteness of organs or extent of capacity, but by an intense sympathy with a specific beauty or characteristic in nature. Having a multitude of talents can actually hinder a person’s success.
The division of labor is important in taste and mechanics. Leaving behind a work that is a model in its kind is sufficient for a person’s fame. It is unnecessary to ask if a person could do anything else or how they did it. Waste talent is talent that is not necessary for the existing excellence in the world. It is not necessary for a person to excel in multiple areas. Good nature and common sense are required from everyone, but one proud distinction is enough for an individual to possess or aspire to.
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