Beauty is the state of being attractive and appealing to the senses. It is often associated with an appreciation for the beauty of nature and a desire to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of things or artefacts.
One of the most basic principles of beauty is that it consists of an arrangement of integral parts into a coherent whole, according to proportion, harmony, and similar notions. This is the classic Western conception of beauty and can be seen throughout classical and neo-classical architecture, sculpture, literature, and music.
Mathematics is also a major influence on our understanding of beauty and it has long been known that particular mathematical proportions, ratios and shapes are beautiful and bring about aesthetic excellence in both natural objects and artefacts. For example, the golden ratio is believed to be responsible for the symmetry and beauty of many natural forms.
Some philosophers also believe that beauty can be attributed to a certain rational order. This belief is akin to the idea of’reasonableness’, which can be found in the philosophy of David Hume and Immanuel Kant.
Similarly, philosophers such as Friedrich Schiller have claimed that beauty is an activity that brings together the natural and the spiritual. This integration, they believe, gives us a sense of being at the same time on both levels of reality and is, therefore, more than simply a mere sensory experience or a form of transcendence.
Another example of a philosopher who believes that beauty is an important part of our worldview is Alan Moore, the author of The Weapons of Destruction: How the West Harms the Rest of the World (2001). He argues that in order for us to be able to function effectively we must have a sense of purpose and this can only be achieved through a sense of beauty.
He cites companies such as Patagonia that are successful in attracting and retaining creative talent through this sense of purpose and the culture they have built around it. They are not only creating beautiful products but they are also building a positive and healthy workplace culture.
This can be seen with their inclusive advertising campaigns that showcase models with disabilities and people in wheelchairs. This is a change from years ago when these types of models were seen as being too different to fit into the norms that society set for them and were often not taken seriously by the public.
As a result, these people have been able to find their place in the public eye and are now becoming increasingly accepted in mainstream society. This is a huge step in the right direction and a major step for the future of society.
As more and more people are finding their place in society and being accepted, the concept of ‘beauty’ is changing as well. Instead of focusing on what makes you look good or how you can improve your body, it is becoming more about how you feel and what you are capable of doing. This is a great change and something that can have a significant impact on our happiness and wellbeing.