From Plato to modern neuro-psychological studies, the concept of beauty has always been the subject of adamant debates and passionate thoughts. In its most general form, beauty is defined as a combination of qualities that please the aesthetic senses, especially sight. But what exactly are these qualities that make something beautiful? The answer, it seems, is largely up to the viewer themselves. Some philosophers, such as Hume, argue that the subjective experience of pleasure is a necessary component of the judgment of beauty. Others, however, reject this idea of a universal standard for beauty.
Throughout history, beauty has evoked feelings of attraction and admiration in both men and women, and it has often been seen as a marker of social class. In this sense, it is a cultural phenomenon, but some philosophers have also argued that natural beauty is innate and transcendent of culture and time. Thus, the music of Bach or the sculptures of Michelangelo are deemed beautiful regardless of their cultural context because they resonate with a core aspect of human nature.
A more recent interpretation of beauty has emerged in business and leadership. As a quality that is linked to trust and creativity, it is important for employees as well as customers. A company’s reputation for being a source of beauty is associated with better employee retention, a higher level of customer satisfaction and greater profits. As a result, companies like Patagonia have established themselves as beauty leaders. A sense of beauty can also help businesses attract the best talent, according to research conducted by Temkin. Employees who work in environments where there is a focus on generosity and positivity are six times more likely to report that they enjoy their job, and customers are 12 times more likely to recommend a company if they have a positive emotional experience with it.
If we want to avoid the perils of superficiality, it is important to look deeper than a person’s outer appearance. For example, a recent survey found that a person’s intelligence, kindness and humility are considered more attractive than their physical appearance. Confidence, kindness, happiness and dignity were among the top 10 attributes people said made a person beautiful while strength, facial appearance and sexiness ranked much lower.
In some ways, these results make sense: When we focus on the things that truly matter, we can feel more at peace with ourselves and therefore radiate an inner beauty. The most effective way to find this peace is by finding your own authentic self and following your true passions in life.
If you are interested in learning more about the philosophy of beauty, there are a number of interesting books available on the topic. These include: