Meaning: Nelson Goodman, a 20th-century American philosopher, made a thought-provoking statement about the cognitive achievement involved in understanding art in unfamiliar styles. In his quote, he compares the process of coming to understand a painting or a symphony in an unfamiliar style to the cognitive achievements of learning to read, write, or add. This comparison highlights the significance of the cognitive processes involved in art appreciation and the recognition of artistic styles.

Goodman's quote underscores the idea that understanding and appreciating art in unfamiliar styles is not merely a matter of subjective taste or personal preference but involves a cognitive effort comparable to learning fundamental skills such as reading, writing, or arithmetic. This perspective challenges the notion that art appreciation is purely subjective and suggests that it requires a level of cognitive engagement and skill development akin to traditional forms of learning.

When Goodman mentions "recognizing the work of an artist or school," he is pointing to the importance of art historical and contextual knowledge in the process of understanding and interpreting art. Recognizing the distinct characteristics of a particular artist's style or the aesthetic principles associated with a specific artistic school requires a cognitive effort to discern and appreciate the underlying concepts and techniques employed by the artists.

Furthermore, the idea of "seeing or hearing in new ways" mentioned in the quote speaks to the transformative nature of art appreciation. It suggests that engaging with art in unfamiliar styles can expand one's perceptual and cognitive capacities, allowing individuals to experience the world through different aesthetic lenses and develop new modes of interpretation and understanding.

Goodman's comparison of understanding art in unfamiliar styles to learning foundational cognitive skills such as reading and writing emphasizes the intellectual rigor and cognitive development involved in art appreciation. It challenges the perception of art as purely emotive or instinctual, positioning it as a domain that demands active cognitive engagement and the development of perceptual and interpretive skills.

In contemporary discourse, Goodman's quote continues to resonate as a reminder of the cognitive complexity inherent in art appreciation. It encourages a deeper appreciation of the intellectual and perceptual challenges involved in engaging with diverse artistic styles and forms, fostering a more nuanced understanding of the cognitive processes underlying aesthetic experiences.

In conclusion, Nelson Goodman's quote illuminates the cognitive achievement involved in understanding art in unfamiliar styles, framing it as a significant intellectual endeavor comparable to learning fundamental cognitive skills. By emphasizing the cognitive engagement and perceptual development required in art appreciation, Goodman's quote invites us to recognize the intellectual rigor and transformative potential of engaging with diverse artistic styles and forms.