The concept of beauty has been the subject of considerable philosophical discussion. Some philosophers have argued that beauty is objective, independent of the response of an individual, while others have held that beauty depends on that very response.
The earliest treatments of beauty, such as those of Plato and Aristotle, treat it as a matter of a relationship between the beautiful object as a whole and its parts. Aristotle, for example, argues that the parts of a sculpture should be proportional to each other and, when combined, form an integrated harmonious whole. This view of beauty was influenced by classical art, which sought to achieve this harmony through proportional balance and symmetry.
Another early approach to beauty is that it consists of a combination of pleasure and usefulness. Kant and other later philosophers argued that what is beautiful depends on how the object affects our emotions, especially the positive ones: it is pleasant to see and hear a beautiful performance or work of art. It is also pleasurable to think of a beautiful person, or ponder the possibility of one becoming attractive.
Various philosophers have also tried to make the concept of beauty more objective by searching for laws that define beauty. For example, some have emphasized the importance of proportion, seeking out objects whose parts are in a ‘golden ratio’ or other mathematical proportions that appear to be pleasing to the eye. This approach was particularly influential in the Italian Renaissance.
In general, these attempts to make beauty objective have been unsuccessful. For example, some people have found that the same object can look different to them depending on environmental factors, such as light and temperature. Furthermore, many of the emotional responses associated with beauty are ambiguous: while the delight in an object may be considered a pleasure, it can also be a form of pain or sorrow.
The philosophical treatment of beauty has been affected by its entanglements with politics and social justice movements. This is perhaps most apparent in the way that traditional theories of beauty have been criticized and transformed by feminist philosophers.
The idea of beauty can be difficult to understand, and the ideas of what is beautiful differ widely from culture to culture. However, there are some universal aspects of what is beautiful: a woman can be physically attractive with a perfect figure, long and flowing hair and flawless makeup but if she lacks inner and godly qualities she will not be a beautiful woman. True beauty comes from within and is reflected outwardly through love for others and obedience to the word of God. A true and lasting beauty is a result of knowing that you are loved and accepted by the one who created you. This kind of beauty is not measured in a thigh gap or Kim Kardashian butt but in how much you love and serve others. This is true for both men and women. A true and lasting beauty is a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ.