Two Thumbs Up

“An expansive and witty examination of the usefulness of criticism” from the realm of professional tastemakers to the vast landscape of social media (Times Literary Supplement, UK).

Far from an elite practice reserved for the highly educated, criticism is all around us. We turn to the Yelp reviewers to help us pick restaurants, to Rotten Tomatoes to guide our movie choices, and to voices on social media for critiques on everything from political candidates to beach resorts. Yet even amid this sea of opinions, professional critics still hold considerable power in guiding how we make aesthetic judgements.

In Two Thumbs Up, philosopher Stephanie Ross examines how critics influence our decisions, and why that’s a good thing. Starting from David Hume’s conception of ideal critics, Ross refines his position and makes the case that review-based journalistic or consumer reporting criticism proves the best model for helping us find and appreciate quality.

Ross demonstrates how aesthetic and philosophical concerns permeate our lives, choices, and culture. Ultimately, whether we’re searching for the right wine or the best concert, Ross encourages us all to find and follow critics whose taste we share.