bbc.com
The Evolving Definition of Beauty: From Classical Ideals to Dadaist Rebellion
This article explores the philosophical debate on the nature of beauty, contrasting classical views associating beauty with objective qualities like harmony and proportion with modern perspectives emphasizing subjective experience and cultural influence, exemplified by the Dadaist movement's rejection of traditional aesthetics.
- How do cultural contexts and power structures influence the perception and definition of beauty?
- While classical philosophers like Plato and Aristotle associated beauty with objective qualities like harmony and proportion, modern thinkers like Hume and Kant emphasized the subjective role of individual experience and cultural context in shaping aesthetic judgment. Hume, for instance, famously argued that beauty resides in "the eye of the beholder.
- What is the primary conflict in defining beauty: objective qualities versus subjective experience?
- Plato, in his "Symposium," defined beauty as something that evokes wonder and deeply moves the soul, viewing it as a reflection of an eternal ideal existing beyond the physical world. This definition linked beauty to perfection, a concept challenged in modern thought.
- Can beauty exist in the absence of traditional aesthetic qualities, such as harmony and proportion, as exemplified by the Dadaist movement?
- The Dadaist movement, emerging after World War I, radically challenged traditional notions of beauty, embracing chaos and absurdity. This rejection of established aesthetic norms reflects a broader shift in understanding beauty as a socially constructed phenomenon, shaped by power structures and cultural values, as suggested by thinkers like Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
The article provides a comprehensive overview of different philosophical perspectives on beauty, from classical ideals to modern challenges. However, it could benefit from including perspectives from non-Western cultures and traditions, as the focus is primarily on Western philosophical thought. This omission limits the scope of the discussion and might unintentionally perpetuate a Eurocentric view of beauty.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present false dichotomies, but the discussion between objective and subjective views of beauty could be framed more inclusively. It could acknowledge that beauty can have both objective aspects (e.g., symmetry) and subjective elements influenced by cultural context and personal experiences, rather than presenting them as mutually exclusive.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses how standards of beauty are socially constructed and influenced by power structures. This relates to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by highlighting how societal norms, often influenced by those in power, can create inequalities in access to resources and opportunities based on perceived beauty standards. The discussion of the commodification of beauty through Botox and other treatments further emphasizes this inequality, as not everyone has equal access to these procedures. The examples given showcase how beauty standards differ across cultures and time periods, reinforcing the idea that these standards are not universal or inherent but rather socially constructed and influenced by power dynamics.