The Meaning and Philosophy of Beauty

beautifull

The word beautifull is an incorrect spelling of the word “beautiful.” The correct spelling is “beautiful.”

Philosophers, poets, and artists have long sought to capture beauty. More recently, scientists have brought new dimensions to this pursuit with their discoveries on biological, evolutionary, and psychological levels. Their insights offer explanations for why certain traits, like fuller lips and denser eyebrows, are considered attractive. However, the science of beauty remains a complex subject that has no clear definition.

A central issue in philosophical aesthetics is whether or not beauty is objective. Traditionally, beauty has been thought of as an innate quality that is universally recognized and enjoyed by human beings. This concept is the basis for many of the theories of beauty developed by philosophers throughout history.

Plato and Aristotle are renowned for their different approaches to beauty, yet they both viewed it as an object of the mind. Their ideas influenced a series of philosophical and artistic traditions that emphasized the idea of an ideal beauty that could be identified and reproduced in works of art, architecture, and literature.

Aristotle’s classical conception of beauty focused on proportion, harmony, and symmetry. His philosophy was a major influence on classical and neo-classical architecture, sculpture, literature, and music. The concept of a harmonious whole is often expressed mathematically in ratios such as the golden section.

Other thinkers viewed beauty as a result of the experience of pleasure. This perspective is sometimes referred to as the aesthetic pleasure theory. The idea is that when a person experiences something that they perceive as beautiful, it gives them pleasure in the same way that an enjoyable movie or piece of music provides enjoyment. Some of these ideas have been criticized for being subjective, as the person’s own desires and preferences play a role in the enjoyment of an event or object.

Although fewer philosophers now adduce beauty as proof of God’s existence, religious overtones still linger in modern notions of the beautiful as revitalizing or soul-saving. The mystical ideas of ancient Greece also continue to have a strong influence on modern Western notions of beauty.

A function of beauty is that it stimulates care. It is rare for people to intentionally destroy or neglect what they venerate as beautiful, and efforts to preserve cultural artifacts are often lauded. A perception of beauty also spurs charitable acts, like non-violent child rearing, asceticism, and good deeds that help the poor and environment. This form of beauty is more powerful because it promotes the goal of a better world through an unselfish, decentered, and aesthetic outlook. When contemplation of beauty becomes a motive for building culture and a lifelong quest, it can affirm the value of humanity in the face of some of the most difficult and tragic events, such as rape, senseless death, and unstopped environmental decay.