Beauty is a concept that has long been at the center of philosophical controversy. It is often a matter of taste, and this has led some philosophers to claim that beauty is entirely subjective. Others, however, have held that an object’s beauty is objective and measurable. It is also sometimes a matter of context and what one considers to be beautiful in particular circumstances. In this article we will explore some of the major approaches to or theories of beauty developed within Western philosophical and artistic traditions.
Many of the ideas about beauty developed in ancient philosophy were concerned with the harmonies of parts of an object and the way those parts relate to each other and form a whole. This approach to beauty was a precursor to later, more complex discussions of aesthetics. Plotinus, for instance, wrote that “The soul of the beautiful is a heavenly music, a perfect harmony between the parts which makes each thing what it is, and the whole which imposes unity upon them” (Ennead I, 23).
It was not until the 1980s that there was a revival of interest in beauty, both as a topic for philosophy and as an object of critical analysis. This was in large part due to a number of feminist-oriented reconceptualizations or reappropriations of the idea. The concept of beauty is now regarded as capable of being equally liberating and enslaving, especially in regard to the vernacular conventions of beauty that are set by fashion, media, and advertising.
For some philosophers, such as Schiller, beauty is a process of integrating the realms of nature and spirit. In this sense, it is like Plato’s ‘ladder’ that allows us to transcend the level of physical reality and enter the abstract or spiritual realm. For others, such as Santayana, beauty is simply a means of pleasure: the enjoyment of things that please the eye and touch the emotions.
It is important to note that most or perhaps all of these different treatments of beauty have elements that are incompatible with each other. For example, Kant’s treatment of beauty as disinterested pleasure has clear links to hedonism, while the ecstatic neo-Platonism of Plotinus hints at a kind of mystical union with the object of beauty.
The notion of beauty is still a controversial and often emotive subject. It is important for people to be able to separate what is beautiful from what they consider ugly. It is also important to remember that true beauty comes from inside. The ability to love yourself and be kind to others is what gives you beauty. Lastly, being true to yourself is the ultimate form of beauty. If you aren’t happy with who you are, then you will not be able to share your beauty with the world. Be true to yourself and the world will be better for it.