Quote Originally Posted by Yamaneko View Post
Humans select for beauty in their mates, so although the characteristics of beauty are subjective, the idea of beauty is universal, be it physical qualities or otherwise.
I follow you, and I think you're onto something.

I would say that subjective and objective elements must exist simultaneously. I feel that the object of contemplation (person) is the subjective beauty. (because even though we all look for attractivenessin a partner, the 'type' of attractiveness is a variable)


But more importantly I think the universal beauty lays within the process. What I mean by that is the feeling of beauty and the method of locating beauty is universal. I don't think it matters where you locate the beauty (that's the subjective aspect) but the universality of beauty is that everyone does experience it.

I think it's best put in an equation:

Subjective Beauty (Object) + Objective Beauty (Essence) = Complete Beauty.

And I don't think one can exist without the other.

Like if you only had the object without the cognitive process of conjuring emotion then you wouldn't be able to recognize the object as beautiful. Similarily, if you only had the essence you would never be able to appreciate it since it would never manifest and thus would never capable for digestion or appreciation.


Quote Originally Posted by polonoid
Well,the ancient Greeks tried to define beauty using the objectivity of maths.At least in their art.There are certain laws in maths that apply to art and someone can try to use them to achieve perfection.
BUT,knowing that, they also tried to not make something entirely perfect.Beauty for them was something that was nearly perfect(based on maths) but still leaves something to be desired.Nature isn't 100% perfect either.
With that being said,i personally agree with what Christmas said...
I'd just like to correct this statement. The Greeks did actually use math to try an achieve perfection however at the same time they were aware to futility of the matter. At this time Plato's allegory of the cave was the ruling theory of beauty, that this whole world was a lesser creation, a pale shadow in comparison to pure, perfect objects that existed in another realm. So their architecture, scultupres all echo these divine ratios and golden rules as a means to solving the issue of "true" beauty.

(Google: Plato's cave allegory for mo' info.)