{The Worth of Art}[9th June 1970]

[Redbook1:156-7][19700609:1130c]{The Worth of Art}[9th June 1970]

Tuesday 9th June 1970

11.30 p m [continued]

(L)       A travelling* 'critic' (?), of all people, referred to Kipling as a 'second rate poet'.  I shall neither dispute that nor second it; but I should like very much to know how the conclusion is reached.

            Either there is a scientific and exact measurement for the worth of art -- which there isn't -- or it is subjective.  Anything here containing even elements of subjectivity is subjective.  If the process of evaluation of the creative arts is subjective, then either it involves a democratic decision -- the majority are right -- or some are better qualified to decide what is best for the mass than others.  This is inevitable; but which of the left-wing-intellectuals (so-called) who implicitly support it would allow himself to apply such a condition in so many words to, say, politics, or education -- negating democracy, or equal opportunity -- or, really, to life?  Can one really separate them within the process of living?

*(i.e. a critic of/for travel – 12/4/71).

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