Can Beauty Be Defined?

   Beauty: What is it? We would all give a slightly different definition. Sure, it’s “a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” Thanks, Google, but I’d say there’s more to it. I’d like to make the argument that beauty is intertwined with admiration and is therefore something that we only see outside of ourselves. We can appreciate our own qualities, but I do not think we can truly see beauty in ourselves. Let me explain why.

    Throughout the ages, the concept of beauty has been a subject of contemplation and pursuit by individuals from all cultures and backgrounds. Beauty is deeply embedded in our consciousness, shaping our understanding of aesthetics and influencing our perceptions of the world around us. In some ways, you could argue that we constantly survey our world for beauty and only acknowledge this feeling when we believe that we see it. Beauty isn’t something we think about without context.

           Imagine you’re at a party with a friend, people-watching with your respective Solo cups. Your friend elbows you and says, “Woah, look at that person. They’re so attractive.” You look at said person, and are confused. “Them? I mean, maybe. I just don’t see it.” Your friend huffs and says, “Hey, man, don’t judge. They’re just my type.”

    In this moment, your friend has experienced beauty. They see someone they’re attracted to, and their search for beauty is fulfilled, if just for a single moment. You, however, do not get this same feeling from the person. You would not have considered the idea of beauty by simply looking at them, as your friend did. This shows us not only our perception of beauty but its subjectivity as well.

    One of the most striking aspects of beauty, frankly, is its subjectivity. There are very few people in the world that we all agree are beautiful. There are very few places that we all agree are beautiful. Beauty is not an objective reality; instead, it lies in the eyes of the beholder. What one individual finds captivating and enchanting might be completely ordinary to another. The human experience of beauty is intrinsically intertwined with personal preferences, cultural conditioning, and societal norms. Art, for instance, serves as an exemplar of subjective beauty. Now imagine that you and that same friend are at a museum. You see a Van Gogh painting and say “Wow, that’s so awesome!” Your friend looks at this painting and goes, “Huh, yeah. Impressionist stuff isn’t my thing, though.” A painting that evokes profound emotions in you leaves your friend feeling unaffected. A classic example of this is modern art, too. Some people really like it, and others say, “I could have made that. My child could have made that”, as if to say, “That piece of art is worthless in my eyes.” This inherent subjectivity invites us to embrace diverse perspectives and celebrates the richness of human experience. If humans were uniform, we could not appreciate beauty as we do. If everyone had the exact same opinions about beauty, things would no longer be truly beautiful. They would just be “better”, or “nice”, and anything that was not up to this universal standard of beauty would be “boring”. Beauty thrones in subjectivity.

    Of course, beauty transcends physical appearance. True beauty encompasses depth and substance, reaching beyond the surface to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and inspire awe. Take, for instance, a captivating landscape. I feel this emotion the strongest when I’m in the mountains, particularly at night. Seeing the stars above each snow-covered peak is breathtaking. For others, a white, sandy beach elicits this same feeling. Nature has long been regarded as the epitome of beauty, and its timeless nature proves to protect its beauty despite cultural shifts. I’ve wondered if this feeling of beauty first arose from the environment.

    Beauty is not only to be observed, though; it is also a form of human expression. Artistic endeavors, be they visual arts, literature, music, or dance, serve as conduits for channeling beauty into the world. To make art is to encapsulate one’s perceptions and emotions, giving rise to creations that resonate with the human spirit. Through these artistic expressions, individuals can communicate and share their unique experiences of beauty, thus fostering a deeper sense of connection and understanding among people. Perhaps, for example, you get goosebumps listening to a new song. Music preference is another classic example of subjective beauty. Go online to a music forum, and you’ll find someone shouting about how Polyphia is totally a better metal band than Megadeth or Black Sabbath (Me. That’s me.), and someone else will yell that Polyphia isn’t even metal, etc. Arguments will persist into eternity about what the best type of music truly is, and we’ll never get an answer.     

    Beauty cannot be decided upon, it can only be experienced. We are igniting a profound sense of admiration and connection through these experiences. Beauty nurtures us and is vital to our life's fulfillment. To experience beauty is to experience connection to an essential tenet of life.

    Beauty cannot be detached from cultural and historical contexts, of course. Throughout history, societies have fostered specific ideals of beauty, often reflecting prevailing values, ideologies, and societal norms. The most often considered of these beauty standards are those regarding human form, which vary wildly based on the time and region of those beliefs. Despite how shallow lust has commandeered the term “beauty standard”, it relates to all other aspects of life, too. Many cultures celebrate qualities like simplicity and humility as beautiful virtues; others, like the US, celebrate patriotism and hard work. Beauty is adaptable, as our perspective of the world shifts continuously. Beauty responds to our wants and needs.

    So what is beauty really? It eludes a definitive, universally applicable definition. It is admiration, a connection, and an expression. It is a testament to our capacity for creativity and appreciation of the world's wonders. Ultimately, the concept of beauty is not something to be entirely grasped, but rather experienced and cherished in all its intricate and evocative manifestations.