In the realm of ideas, beauty is one of the most hotly debated concepts. It has been characterized as both objective and subjective, a sentiment that varies depending on the context or individual. Some philosophers, like Aristotle, viewed it as a virtue that is dependent on the beholder; others, such as Plotinus, considered it an ecstatic experience that can induce “wonderment and delicious trouble, desire and longing, trembling and delight” (Ennead I, 23). Aristotle also included integrity, proportion, and clarity among the requirements of beauty.
The human face is one of the most important indicators of beauty. The eyes are especially key: the brain is hardwired to detect the direction of another person’s gaze, and neonates learn to follow their mothers’ faces within months of birth. This social cue is encoded in a dedicated region of the brain, known as the superior temporal sulcus. The eyes also reflect a person’s mood and emotions, as well as their level of health, which is reflected in the coloration of the sclera (white parts of the eye).
It may seem counterintuitive that some people have a more difficult time seeing beauty in others than others, but it is a fact of life. In general, people who find beauty in others tend to have more social connections and have greater reproductive success than those who do not. In addition, attractive people generally earn more money than non-attractive ones, even after controlling for factors such as education and job skills.
Although there are many different definitions of beauty, most philosophers agree that beauty is a matter of combining a number of qualities, including proportion, harmony, and symmetry. For example, the ancient Greek philosopher Polykleitos developed a sculpture he called The Canon, which was meant to represent perfect proportions. This concept of beauty is still in use today, with architects attempting to recreate the ideal proportions that Polykleitos outlined in his treatise.
However, it is also widely accepted that beauty is relative and subjective, as the beholder’s reaction to a particular piece of art or person will determine its aesthetic value. This concept of beauty is evident in the popular proverb, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Aristotle also emphasized harmony, as he argued that beautiful objects are harmonious with their environment, with other objects, and with their creators. Beauty is also seen as a form of expression, with sculptors creating works of art that are in harmony with their nature and with their cultural context.
In more modern times, beauty has been used as an instrument for economic gain. For example, Coco Chanel was a major figure in the fashion industry and her designs were heavily influenced by changing notions of beauty throughout the 20th century. This was largely due to the industrialization of the fashion industry and increasing consumer demand for high-end products. Beauty has also been used as a tool for political and social control, such as in the form of racial and sexual stereotypes and objectification of women.