> # 2: Can there be truly objective criteria for judging a poem?
> G. E. Schwartz
It's possible to formulate objective criteria to assess the value of poems,
widgets, and tea cups. But are the criteria apt? Would people agree with
them? Are they the most important criteria?
What makes for interesting, worthwhile poetry of one kind may not apply to
poetry of another kind.
Suppose we formulate a list of wonderful criteria for judging poems. That
gives us an algorithm for judging poems. A program/machine for judging
poems.
I've wondered about the relation of this issue to the issue of 'undecidable
propositions' and Godel's 'incompleteness theorems'.
The machine is obviously going to be of very limited use and relevance. So
too, I expect, with truly objective criteria for judging poems. At best,
such a set of criteria might establish a set of constraints that defines a
relatively small, interesting subset of poetry, a type of poetry. And the
truly objective criteria for judging poems would work within that type of
poetry, but not outside that type.
ja
http://vispo.com
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