It seems as if ‘taste’ is something over which there can’t be much argument. However, art appreciation carries on as if there are meaningful disputes. Works are deemed better than others and we seek to justify claims. How is such knowledge possible? Is it feasible to appreciate a work of art properly? How can our artistic evaluations be justified? This study day, one of a series of six, introduces historical and philosophical material to help develop individual critical understandings of art appreciation.