What Is Beauty?

beauty

The classical conception of beauty identifies it as a relationship between parts and whole. Its objective quality of being a pleasing whole has no higher status than that of entertainment. This view reflects a strong attachment to pleasure and the notion that beauty is subjective. Beauty, therefore, cannot be compared with truth, justice, or anything else. In this way, beauty is merely the enjoyment that one receives when viewing a particular object or piece of art.

The ancient treatments of beauty generally pay homage to the pleasures of beauty, often describing them in ecstatic terms. Plotinus, for example, writes about beauty in terms of wonderment, delicious trouble, longing, and love. His description of beauty evokes trembling, which he considers as all delight. While there is no universally accepted definition of beauty, ancient treatments of beauty are often rooted in a desire to achieve beauty.

The ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle both held different views on the nature of beauty. Plato and Aristotle argued that beauty lies within an object’s qualities, not in the experience of the observer. David Hume, on the other hand, argued that beauty is a subjective quality. Aristotle’s definition of beauty was more detailed and defined by the characteristics of an art object. Aristotle also held an objective conception of beauty.

In terms of the definition, beauty is a state of aesthetic excellence. This is usually complemented by the presence of some virtue. However, beauty is not merely a pleasant state of mind. It is also a result of our sense of aesthetic value. Beauty is a form of expression that pleases the eyes and the senses. It is also related to age, gender, race, and weight. It is often based on the culture and society in which one lives.

A fundamental issue in the history of philosophical aesthetics is the nature of beauty. For centuries, beauty has been counted as a primary value. The ancient Greeks, Hellenistics, and medievals considered beauty to be one of the highest values. Many nineteenth-century and twentieth-century thinkers have also dealt with this issue. So, what is beauty? We need to be clear about what beauty is. That’s where philosophers differ.