Beauty is something that stirs feelings in the soul and mind of a person that brings pleasure they never felt before. It is a complex topic that has intrigued philosophers, poets and artists for a long time.
The definition of beauty has varied throughout history, however, most philosophers agree that it is a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour and form that pleases the aesthetic senses especially sight. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato believed that beauty was in the eyes of the beholder and that it depended on a person’s perception of an object. In a later interpretation, philosopher Peg Zeglin Brand suggested that beauty is defined by an individual’s emotional response to it.
Whether or not an object is beautiful depends on its relationship to another object that has the same value. An example of an objective property would be a weight of 5 kg. If an object has that weight, it is beautiful regardless of whether or not a person finds it beautiful. An example of a subjective property would be tasting good to Bob. If it tastes good to him, it is beautiful to him.
Most people who are able to experience beauty find it a pleasant experience, however, some find the opposite to be true. This is because many people tend to associate beauty with a sense of superiority and entitlement. It is also because of these reasons that beauty has been linked to social injustice and oppression.
Many people work hard on changing and reshaping their bodies in order to be considered beautiful, even to the point of self-hate. However, a coach at A Clean Mind Coaching & Counseling believes that finding inner peace is what truly makes you beautiful.
As a result, the idea of beauty is continually evolving and shifting as more people challenge outdated stereotypes and conventions. Confident young women pack their closets with mini-skirts while older women restock their sensible suits. Advertising campaigns feature models with disabilities as opposed to those who are able bodied, for instance.
A person’s perception of beauty can be influenced by their environment, culture, age, gender, religion and even the media they consume. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the way that beauty can be manipulated and impacted by others around them.
The weekend’s readings gave us a number of dimensions to beauty, including its relation to morality and power. They also gave depth to the idea of beauty as an impulse that can be just as liberating as it has been viewed as enslaving. It is for this reason that we need to reclaim the concept of beauty as an individual impulse that can liberate and empower, rather than restrict and debilitate. As we continue to explore the concept of beauty, we look forward to tomorrow’s discussion on athletic beauty.