Both the authorial and the sociological orientations are more “historical” than the aesthetic. The authorial orientation usually leads to the selection of authorial forms over nonauthorial forms. The authorial orientation is probably the most important in our time, though it has been under challenge in critical circles for years. Most editorial principles which discuss authorial intentions, whether “original” or “final,” reveal an authorial orientation. Phrases such as “the text the author wanted his readers to have,” “the author’s final intentions,” his “artistic intentions,” “the product of the creative process,” or even “what the author did” reveal an authorial orientation. Authority for the authorial orientation resides with the author, though editors do not agree on what that means.
Both the authorial and the sociological orientations are more “historical” than the aesthetic. The authorial orientation usually leads to the selection of authorial forms over nonauthorial forms. The authorial orientation is probably the most important in our time, though it has been under challenge in critical circles for years. Most editorial principles which discuss authorial intentions, whether “original” or “final,” reveal an authorial orientation. Phrases such as “the text the author wanted his readers to have,” “the author’s final intentions,” the “artistic intentions,” “the product of the creative process,” or even “what the author did” reveal an authorial orientation. Authority for the authorial orientation resides with the author, though editors do not agree on what that means.