Is beauty subjective or objective? It seems that some things are universally held by people to be beautiful: sunsets, babies, a fresh fallen snow. But on closer investigation I find that there are exceptions to each of those cases, people who don't find those things (or at least not all of them) to be beautiful. So, it got me to wondering about the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Is it true of false. Is beauty something that its presence or absence thereof is dependent on the person making the observation, so that there is no such thing as an absolute with regard to beauty. Or is there an absolute against which other things must be compared to see if they measure up to being beautiful?
What do you think? Is it true or not: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
(Clarification: This is NOT a thread about physical attractiveness, but more of a philosophical question.)
Last edited by Grace Seeker; 07-20-2010 at 10:37 PM.
Reason: To add the clarifying notation.
There are certain physical features that are in all societies regarded as beautiful. Most common is women's hair, where the richer, healthier looking hair ("because you're worth it" - yeah because I made that joke, no one else can. Ok?!) is deemed beautiful. Another common factor is body mass: broad wedge shaped for men and an hourglass figure for women (which is not a size zero, weirdos!) are typically regarded as beautiful.
This is only the physical appearance however and thus only half of the calculation. The ''inside'' such as personality, are they charitable, sense of humour etc is also important; no use looking like the epitome of physical pefection if you behave like a complete and utter douche.
These aren't be all and end all, just most common factors. Like most things in life, it's not a black and white matter i.e. there are cases of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.
Someone said to the Prophet, "Pray to God against the idolaters and curse them." The Prophet replied, "I have been sent to show mercy and have not been sent to curse." (Muslim)
What? Bro, I thind these topics reasons to why Muslim women cover or why should women cover. Sorry if I misinterpreted. however, we cover because it is a command in the Qur'aan and we follow those commands. Oh, and when Allah commands, we do not question, we just follow (submit)-is my reply to the folks.
yeh human beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this is plainly obvious. it is only the society that might have brainwashed a lot of people in to thinking this is untrue though
because of what they see on t.v and magazines etc.
There's been some research done on this issue where a series of faces were shown to some volunteers and those same volunteers rated them according to attractiveness. There was some correlation between what individuals found attractive, but not an ovehwelming correlation. So in conclusion, a lot of people do find the same things attractive, but specific people are attracted to specific people for a whole host of reasons, physical attractiveness being only one factor.
‘Say: If the ocean were ink wherewith to write out the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted, even if We added another ocean like it.’~Al Qu'raan (18:109)
Of course this thread is not about human beauty per se, but about the concept of beauty. It might be a person. It might also be, as in my original examples, a sunset, a snowfall, or even something that cannot even been seen with the eyes, like for instance freedom. All of these things have also been called beautiful at one time or another. Is the nature of their beauty subjective or objective? Is it an absolute that they are beautiful, or is the truth of their beauty only found in the experience of the one observing them to be beautiful?
There's been some research done on this issue where a series of faces were shown to some volunteers and those same volunteers rated them according to attractiveness. There was some correlation between what individuals found attractive, but not an ovehwelming correlation. So in conclusion, a lot of people do find the same things attractive, but specific people are attracted to specific people for a whole host of reasons, physical attractiveness being only one factor.
about 60 to 70 kilograms.....with the lower part of the body heavier, thats beauty!
grace can back me up on that one
Lol, typical somali outlook on beauty
‘Say: If the ocean were ink wherewith to write out the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted, even if We added another ocean like it.’~Al Qu'raan (18:109)
Is beauty subjective or objective? It seems that some things are universally held by people to be beautiful: sunsets, babies, a fresh fallen snow. But on closer investigation I find that there are exceptions to each of those cases, people who don't find those things (or at least not all of them) to be beautiful. So, it got me to wondering about the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Is it true of false. Is beauty something that its presence or absence thereof is dependent on the person making the observation, so that there is no such thing as an absolute with regard to beauty. Or is there an absolute against which other things must be compared to see if they measure up to being beautiful?
What do you think? Is it true or not: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Great thread. I seems to me that aesthetic realism goes hand in hand with moral realism - for every argument for/against aesthetic realism there is a corresponding argument for/against moral realism. Can you think of an argument against the objectivity of aesthetic values that doesn't also work as an argument against the objectivity of moral values?
It also seems to me that statements like "Sunsets are beautiful." are more obviously true than the premises of any argument against aesthetic realism. Also, on theism, the universe is the Great Artist's Masterpiece - "The heavens declare the glory of God." To say that "Sunsets are beautiful." is not a proposition is coming fairly close to blasphemy!
For me, the really interesting question is how such different objects (sunsets, art, music, people, mathematical theorems? God?) can all share this property "beauty"?
oK GUYS. A sincere advice, we shouldn't be speaking of waht we like in women, or men. Why? Well, we should preserve our hayya (shyness). No offense has been intended.
Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).
(Surah Qaf-18)
"Do not talk, listen or do anything vain" (23:3, 28:55)
Plus, speaking of these things is like thinking about it which may be some form of temptaion.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Something beautiful can be seen as ugly and something ugly as beautiful. While today skinny women are seen attractive, my grandmother told me that in the past overweight women were preferred in the area she lived in. History of art is a good example as well.
I think there's common features which the majority of people find beautiful. I believe this comes from the natural inclination of mankind, Fitrah.
oK GUYS. A sincere advice, we shouldn't be speaking of waht we like in women, or men. Why? Well, we should preserve our hayya (shyness). No offense has been intended.
Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).
(Surah Qaf-18)
"Do not talk, listen or do anything vain" (23:3, 28:55)
Plus, speaking of these things is like thinking about it which may be some form of temptaion.
I see the natural world as beautiful and all the cities and man made stuff as junk and an abomination upon the Earth. A sand dune impresses me more than the finest building.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Bookmarks