Beauty is a multi-faceted concept. It can be described as a combination of qualities that give pleasure to the senses, or as an objective concept that is based on aesthetic principles.
The classical conception of beauty is embodied in classical and neo-classical architecture, literature, and music. But the definition of beauty has changed over the course of history. In ancient times, beauty was a subject of romanticism and ecstasy. During the Middle Ages, it was an integral part of divine order. At the turn of the twentieth century, it was associated with capitalism and aristocracy. However, this association has become problematic over the last few centuries.
The first requirement for beauty is integrity. Aristotle’s maxim is that living things must present order in their arrangement of parts. Another requirement is clarity. Similarly, symmetry is an important element of beauty. An object with different colors at noon and midnight is not beautiful, but an object with symmetrical parts is.
The concept of beauty has also been a subject of moral critique. For example, Kant treated beauty in terms of disinterested pleasure, which has obvious elements of hedonism. On the other hand, Stendhal said that beauty is a promise of happiness. He argued that it is a sign of a rich life, but his statement does not get at the heart of matter.
Beauty can be defined by gender, age, and popular culture. The classical definition of beauty, however, is that beauty is a unified and coherent whole. Traditionally, the idea of beauty is rooted in mathematical ratios.
Other accounts of beauty are more subjective. One writer claimed that the experience of beauty is so profound that it could serve as the meaning of life. And, in the twentieth century, it was thought that beauty could be subjective. Others claim that it has no intellectual foundation. Still others attribute it to pleasure.
However, the search for the perfect definition of beauty is a rational one. According to Berkeley, beauty is a combination of three qualities. First, it is a form of perfection. Second, it must be consonant with the object. Third, it must have a certain level of suitedness.
The classical notion of beauty is the primordial Western conception of beauty. While it is not perfect, it has a number of virtues that have become part of the Western world’s collective consciousness. These include: a unified and coherent whole, a form of perfection, a symbol of awe, and a measure of finitude.
Although the classical conception of beauty is the oldest, it has been subject to many changes. Some of the latest innovations in the art and design fields have thrown up new ways to define beauty. Today, a beauty platform aims to inspire and celebrate creativity and self-expression. With this mission in mind, designers should rethink their conception of beauty.
As a result of its associations with politics and race, the concept of beauty has had to deal with a lot of political problems over the course of the last few centuries. However, in the late twentieth century, social justice movements have begun to address the issue of political associations of beauty.