Beauty is an aesthetic concept that refers to the qualities of a thing that provide satisfaction. It can include physical appearance, colour, weight, and symmetry. A person’s perception of beauty will change over time. The experience of beauty connects objects to communities of appreciation.
The classical idea of beauty was that it is a matter of harmony between parts. This notion was sometimes expressed mathematically in ratios. However, the concept has been variously interpreted and debated. Some philosophers have argued that the concept of beauty is objective while others have argued that it is subjective.
A rational understanding of beauty involves the search for an essence that can be transformed into formulae. In other words, it is an attempt to find a form for an object that is harmonious in its qualities. Moreover, it is important to consider the political associations of beauty. These associations have been problematic for some time. They have been addressed in late twentieth century social justice movements. But they have also been neglected in early twentieth century philosophy.
During the Renaissance, plumpness was regarded as a sign of wealth. Moreover, great art was often dedicated to furnishing the homes of rich people. By the early twentieth century, the concept of beauty had become associated with capitalism. Moreover, it was subjected to moral and political critique. One prominent example of this was the slogan ‘Black is beautiful’.
In the eighteenth century, philosophers such as Hume and Kant argued that beauty is a subjective state. Similarly, George Santayana posited that beauty is the experience of pleasure. Nevertheless, these conceptions of beauty are incompatible with traditional African ways of thinking about beauty.
Hedonist conceptions argue that beauty is a function of the object, its value, and its loving attitude. Furthermore, they consider that beauty is a combination of aesthetic and moral experiences. For instance, an object may be seen as different colors at noon and at midnight. An artist may be inspired to create a work of art that is both beautiful and functional.
In the 1980s, a revival of interest in beauty took place. This was largely driven by the work of art critic Dave Hickey and feminist-oriented reconstruals of beauty. Although the political associations of beauty are still controversial, they have been addressed in many social justice movements.
Counter-beauty is a reaction to oppressive standards of beauty. Such counter-beauty can occur from a person’s personal predilections. Alternatively, it can come from a person’s desire for a different view of the world. Lastly, it can be a response to changes in the beauty standard.
The definition of beauty has been evolving throughout the history of the human race. While it can be defined in terms of the aesthetic senses, it is also defined by popular culture, gender, and race. Despite its importance to the human race, the idea of beauty has been difficult to reconcile with other concepts of value. Therefore, it is a critical topic in our times.