Beauty – Universal Or Identifiable?

Beauty is often defined as a subjective feature of things which makes these things pleasurable to see. These things include humans, landscapes, sunsets and artistic works of art. Beauty, along with beauty, is the basis of aesthetic, one of the most important branches of fine arts. It is also the most popular of all the arts.

It is clear that beauty is not only in the eyes of the beholder, but it can also be subjective. It depends on what someone finds aesthetically pleasing. This may concern them personally or others around them. However, the object of beauty remains the same, no matter who views it.

There are various definitions on beauty. In general, beauty is defined as the quality that makes something beautiful, regardless of its type, shape, size and form. Therefore, it may be in the form of a flower, an apple, or a painting. According to some philosophers, beauty is merely that which makes something beautiful, while for others it is the ability of a thing to elicit empathy or feelings of sympathy. Still, others believe that beauty is a mental state, an inner state of harmony that can be attained by using one’s mind.

Aesthetic beauty however, has many aspects. One may be looking at a work of art, be it a work of art in nature or a work of art made by a famous artist. What makes a work of art beautiful to a person may differ from the standards of other people. This is because beauty – to a person – is a subjective concept, dependent on the person’s own criteria.

Aesthetics scholars disagree on the exact definition of beauty, arguing that beauty varies depending on the culture and time period in which an object or person is located. For instance, while a stone may be deemed beautiful in China, in America it would probably be considered ugly. Similarly, while a statue of a Greek athlete might be deemed beautiful in Greece, it would most likely be hated in America. Beauty however, in the eyes of the beholder, appears in different forms and manifestations.

In short, beauty – universal or particular – appears to be subjective, depending on who perceives it. It is therefore important to note that beauty has many dimensions, including physical, mental, aesthetic, spiritual, and social aspects. The definition of beauty varies across cultures and time periods, but what remains constant is that beauty is a subjective concept, as seen through the individual experiences and perspectives of those who view it.