Beauty has been a problematic concept for centuries. It has been linked to gender, race and other aspects of social justice. The political association of beauty with these aspects has prompted many to reject it and pursue other objectives. The late twentieth century social justice movement, however, has started to address these issues. This article looks at some of these issues.
Until the eighteenth century, most philosophical accounts of beauty were focused on beauty as an object or quality. Augustine explicitly asked in De Veritate Religione whether something is beautiful because it gives delight or because it is beautiful because it inspires love. Augustine chose the latter option. Plotinus and Plato also linked beauty to the response of desire and love.
Kant's theory was not particularly useful in answering the question of how beauty is experienced, because he failed to account for the experience of beauty as something distinct from the observer. Santayana's account, on the other hand, explained how beauty can be experienced as a process that connects a person to an object.
Beauty is a contested concept that Haar extensions has always been subject to debate. In the history of philosophy, different aspects of beauty have attracted enormous attention. The true definition of beauty is elusive, because it differs among human beings and individuals. Hence, a clear definition of beauty is needed to understand the concept in its broadest sense.
God's goodness and truth are revealed in beauty. However, the imperfections of the world's existence taint the glory of God. While Beauty in the created world is incomplete, God's beauty is perfect. God is the transcendent source of Goodness and Being. He expresses these as Beauty in creation.
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