Beauty is one of the most perennially debated topics in philosophy. Some think that it is an intrinsic quality in things that can be analyzed and measured scientifically, while others argue that beauty is entirely subjective and therefore cannot be objectively described or defined.
The debate over whether beauty is objective or subjective is often the central concern of philosophical treatments of the concept, although a number of other important concerns also arise, most importantly, the nature of pleasure and the status of beauty in relation to other kinds of values. In the ancient treatments of beauty, it was quite common for philosophers to pay tribute to ecstatic pleasures that could be induced by beautiful things, and in particular the experience of the beauty of certain types of music or works of art.
Aristotle’s doctrine of proportion, for instance, viewed beauty as the perfect embodiment of a definite ratio among its parts—such as those found in a work of art. The sculptural form known as the “golden section” was a famous example. This approach was also evident in the Renaissance treatment of beauty, with its emphasis on harmony.
By contrast, the empiricists of the eighteenth century treated beauty as a phantasm of the senses, not located in things as they are in themselves but resulting from subjective responses to those things—like pleasure—and not something intrinsic to the objects causing them. This view of beauty owes much to Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities.
Moreover, since the 1980s there has been revived interest in beauty as an important theme in both feminist and social-justice oriented philosophy. In addition, the disability arts movement has been exploring the ways that people with disabilities actually fulfill various traditional criteria of beauty.
In recent times, the idea of beauty has shifted away from the focus on an external appearance to inner peace and a person’s ability to love themselves for who they are and not what they do or look like. As such, the perception of what is considered beautiful has shifted and it’s no longer shocking to see someone with a wheelchair or Down syndrome on a magazine cover or in an advertisement.
However, the topic of beauty has sparked many debates throughout the years and it will probably continue to do so well into the future. There are always going to be those who will fight for beauty being a pure, objective entity and those who will take the time to look at the bigger picture and realize that beauty is actually about how you feel within. Ashley Pennewill of A Clean Mind Coaching & Counseling says that you must be happy with who you are on the inside to be able to radiate beauty outside, which is why she encourages everyone to find their true self and love themselves for who they are. The only way to do this is by being in the moment and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.