I always thought that the concept of beauty was what made you happy; what you found visually moving. Something that makes you stop and really look at it, and make you appreciate that you're alive. What do you think?
2007-01-07 04:50:20 · 16 answers · asked by dunoamb 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
There are a few things that are NOT in the 'eye of the beholder', so to speak. At least among humans.
Cross-cultural studies of art reveal that there are certain things which are almost universally regarded as attractive. These are usually very basic elements, such as vertical lines and gentle curves. Some of the reason for this has been discovered in neurology - the human brain simply responds better to these kind of stimuli.
Some theorize that the reason for this derives from human evolutionary development. A forest full of trees also contains a lot of vertical lines, and these could be genetically associated with safety - those who like the forests suvive while those who like sitting in an open plain are lion-bait. Whether or not this is so, however, the correlations still seem to exist.
Even beyond this biological programming, there is a great degree of personal preference. But I don't think saying, 'beauty is what makes you happy' encompasses it well. Take, for example, works of art.
There are plenty of artistic works which are described as 'beautiful' but also 'horrible'. Much of nature, too, though beautiful, is more often associated with awe and intimidation than happiness (the view of a huge mountain, for example). And from the opposite direction, I'm not sure it's right to say that everything that makes you happy is beautiful. I can think of a variety of ugly and crude things that make me happy (some children's crayon drawings, for example).
What a better description? I'm not sure. I often associate beauty with perfection, whether it's perfectly good or perfectly bad. But I don't think that works a whole lot better, to be honest.
Keep thinking! Someone will figure it out eventually!
2007-01-07 05:17:50 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll have to agree with Doctor Why. Something that achieves it's "goodness" or "badness" well is for me beautiful. I saw the movie United 93, did NOT make me happy at all, but I can say that was "beautiful" because it was to me a perfect attempt at showing something bad and ugly. Visual beauty is easier to define, and just as DW said, practically universal. Symetry, balance, along with other visual cues for health, safety, nourishment, our eyes naturally pick out and give us positive emotions.
2007-01-07 06:30:51 · answer #2 · answered by charlie c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beauty is blind. Can the beauty of a snake or a cockaroach be different than that of a dolphin or shark or how every human being is born with certain features that appeal to certain people but a mother if she really is a mother will see the beauty in her child, eventhough some other human does not. All life is beauty don't you think so, I do.
2007-01-07 04:58:47 · answer #3 · answered by Lesha a Canadian. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that's the deepest I've heard anyone put it, and that I agree with what you think. Also adding that beauty though needn't be necessarily visually moving, a lot of music is beautiful, a lot of feelings are - etc.
2007-01-10 06:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by gottalottaquestions 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the perception of the beholder. I see a tree and see life and beauty. The person next to me might see firewood or a blocked view.
2007-01-07 04:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right. Beauty is viewed differently by every person, and I think that anything that is beautiful is something that you take joy or pleasure from veiwing or experiancing.
2007-01-07 04:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by anamaradancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beautiful would be anything that's aesthetically pleasing.
Everything holds its own inherent beauty, as long as it isn't morally wrong to look upon.
2007-01-08 10:31:42 · answer #7 · answered by DeanPonders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there are many many beauties in our world, its meaning and shape depend on our culture. but my mind seeks and also wants to believe that there must be "the beauty" somewhere which no one can deny it. like "the truth", "the good"...
2007-01-07 06:17:14 · answer #8 · answered by tuba e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a 1970 Oldsmoblie 442 W-30. rootbeer brown.. aluminum rims with black walls. chrome accents. wow .. thats beauty.
2007-01-07 05:01:17 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I asked a question smiliar to that a while ago. I found the answers useful, maybe you will too :)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq27SJep2nBZafwRHz5ubizsy6IX?qid=20061124164004AAgIizS
have a great weekend
2007-01-07 04:58:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋