Exploring Subjective and Objective Beauty: Insights and
School
Seneca College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PHL 185
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
2
Uploaded by UltraCloverHorse27
.1 Subjective beauty depends on the individual's experience, like the taste of food.1 In contrast, objective beauty is independent of individual perception, like an object's mass.Sayings like "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" support the subjective view, while phrases like "beauty is truth" imply an objective quality to beauty.1However, the word "beauty" itself can be used in both objective and subjective ways.1For instance, saying "the music is beautiful" after repeated listens suggests an objective property was discovered in the music.1Conversely, statements like "she's beautiful to me" highlight the role of individual experience in shaping perceptions of beauty.1Plato's Concept of Beauty and Its Critique●Plato's theory posits an ideal Form of Beauty that earthly objects resemble to varying degrees.23This Form embodies a balanced relationship between parts, suggesting a mathematical basis for beauty similar to classical architecture.24De Botton illustrates this through Chloe's belief in an objective standard of beauty she feels she fails to meet.3Chloe's self-criticism stems from comparing herself to models in magazines, whom she sees as closer approximations of the ideal Form.34She fixates on perceived disharmonies in her features, like the size of her nose and lips, believing they violate Platonic principles.5●However, de Botton challenges this rigid view by finding Chloe beautiful despite her "flaws," demonstrating the subjective nature of beauty.67He argues that beauty cannot be reduced to a formula and that describing Chloe's features would not convince someone who did not find her attractive.7Instead, he emphasizes the role of individual perception and the "Kantian view" that aesthetic judgments are ultimately subjective.8The Role of Imagination and Love●Kant argues that the proportions of a body are less important than how it is subjectively viewed, much like the Müller-Lyer illusion where lines of equal length appear different due to attached arrows.9Similarly, de Botton's perception of Chloe is shaped by his love, which acts like the arrows in the illusion, making her appear more beautiful than someone objectively similar.9●De Botton highlights the role of imagination in appreciating beauty, particularly in features deemed "imperfect" by Platonic standards.10He finds beauty in Chloe's gap-toothed smile, seeing it as a unique redefinition of dental perfection.1011This preference for unconventional beauty stems from the pleasure in discovering something hidden from those who adhere to traditional notions of beauty.1112●
The imagination, fueled by love, plays a crucial role in perceiving and enhancing beauty.1213De Botton compares Chloe's face to Wittgenstein's duck-rabbit illusion, where the same image can be seen as either animal depending on the viewer's focus.14Love provides the framework for seeing Chloe's features as beautiful rather than flaws, highlighting the subjective and transformative power of love in shaping aesthetic judgments.1214Developing Taste and Overcoming Prejudice●Hume acknowledges the subjectivity of taste but suggests a "good" taste can be cultivated through practice, comparison, and exposure to diverse art forms.15161718He believes that engaging with art and comparing different styles and levels of excellence hones our ability to discern beauty.1920●Hume also emphasizes the importance of overcoming prejudice when assessing art.212223He cautions against letting personal biases, such as friendships or rivalries with artists, influence our judgment.2425He advocates for adopting a neutral perspective and evaluating the work based on its own merits.26●However, Hume acknowledges the difficulty in completely eliminating all prejudice.23He recognises that factors like age, cultural background, and personal experiences can influence our perceptions of beauty.272829Despite this, he maintains that a degree of universality in taste exists, as evidenced by the enduring appreciation of certain works of art across cultures and time periods.303132Beauty and Morality●Hume suggests a potential connection between beauty and morality, arguing that morally reprehensible content can diminish a work's aesthetic value.2833He cites examples like the portrayal of vicious manners in ancient poetry, finding them less appealing due to the blurred lines between vice and virtue.34●However, he believes we should be cautious about judging art solely based on its moral message.283335He argues that speculative errors, including religious ones, should be overlooked when evaluating artistic merit, as long as they don't promote bigotry or superstition.3637The Role of Humor in Relationships●De Botton highlights the importance of humor in navigating differences within relationships.38394041He suggests that laughter can help couples transcend disagreements and defuse potential conflicts.3840Jokes allow for indirect criticism and acceptance of each other's flaws without resorting to direct confrontation.3841●The ability to find humor in relationship challenges signifies a willingness to acknowledge and accept the imperfections inherent in both individuals and the relationship itself.3839This perspective aligns with the overall theme of embracing the subjective nature of beauty and finding value in the unique qualities of individuals and experiences.