A Study of Aesthetic Judgement in Cosmetology

This study reconstructs the structure of aesthetic judgment in cosmetology and clarifies its intersubjective nature, addressing the conceptual gap between expert-centered objectivism and consumer-sovereignty subjectivism. Drawing on Donald Davidson’s theory of intersubjectivity—specifically his concepts of triangulation and the principle of charity— the paper proposes a “Triadic Model of Aesthetic Judgment” in which aesthetic judgment emerges through dynamic interaction among cosmetologist, client, and aesthetic outcome. Combining analytic-philosophical reasoning with structured analysis of practical cases and integrating insights from semiotics, philosophy of art, service quality, and cultural-experience research, the study demonstrates that aesthetic judgment in cosmetology is not a matter of private taste or fixed norms but a dialogical and temporal process that secures validity through accurate reference to shared objects, the application of interpretive rules to embodied contexts, and iterative mutual confirmation. The proposed model offers a theoretical foundation for explaining cross-cultural aesthetic variations, such as the global diffusion of K-Beauty, and redefines cosmetology as an interpretive practice that involves cooperative meaning creation. It further suggests practical improvements in education (common-object setting, charitable interpretation, mutual validation), consultation, and evaluative metrics based on relational and interpretive indicators. Ultimately, the study establishes an academic and methodological basis for understanding cosmetology as a field of social creativity, providing a framework for future empirical and cross-cultural investigations into the universal structures and cultural specificities of intersubjective aesthetic judgment.