Art and Evolution

A cardinal principle of Kant's Aesthetic Theory is that Taste, i. e. Universality, is more important than Genius, i. e. Originality.  However, if there is a demonstration that the two are incompatible, he does not offer one.  Now, plainly, a work that is both Universal and Original is superior to one that is lacking in either respect.  So, his theory is based on an inferior example of Art.  As an alternative, founded on the optimum possibilty, the presentation of an original work, followed by the universal reception of it, can be recognized as that of Mutation-Integration, i. e. the emergence of some new characteristic, followed by the incorporation of it into given behavior.  In other words, such an Aesthetic event constitutes a type of Evolutionary step.  Accordingly, the criterion for Aesthetic Judgment is the promotion of the growth of the Species, a principle that is implicit in Kant's system, but remains undeveloped, for reasons that probably have more to do with his Theological commitments than with Art per se.