THE PRIMARY ASPECT OF THE WORK OF ART AS THE STANDARD OF THE WORK

To a certain extent, when we consider an alleged instance of creativity, we bring familiar or traditional criteria to bear upon it. Of a work of art, we may ask about the use of color, or the use of representation, or the quality of line drawing. Of a seemingly excellent student term paper, we may ask traditional questions having to do with coherence and consistency. To this extent, the assessment of creative thinking does not itself require the invention of new criteria. On the other hand, traditional criteria may fail to come to grips with that which is original, unique, and distinctive in the work of art or in the student's performance. Under such circumstances, new criteria are needed, but we must still employ criteria that are relevant. It is necessary that the new criteria be drawn from the work itself, or from the student, or from whatever it is we are attempting to judge. Thus, in grading a student, we conventionally employ certain traditional criteria, such as class participation, doing the work assignments, and so on. But we also are concerned with the individualistic aspect of the student and the extent to which the tasks performed contribute to or detract from that individuality. In judging a painting, likewise, we do not fault the artist for what he or she has attempted (as far as the use of the individualistic criterion is concerned).