A theory of aesthetics should explain why I like the things I like, but cannot claim that I *should* like something, as this is arbitrary.
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If a theory claims I should like something that I don't in fact like, or vice versa, then the theory fails to correspond to reality.
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Aesthetics is, and can only be, a post facto explanation of preferences which already exist.
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what if I have preferences about my preferences, i.e. I want to like something because it makes the self more elegant?
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Preferences can be about anything thinkable so I'd say yes? It just happens that acting on meta-preferences changes them