Khipuz -Philosophy
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A study of Western Art History reveals the shifting tides of our Western perceptions of beauty as does a understanding of our philosophies. An anthropological investigation into our neurotic unsettling behaviour concerning concepts of beauty would be a wonderful read!
According to Burke, beauty is that which well formed and pleasing but this is a blanket statement that then requires the definition of the terms he uses as well. He defines the sublime as that which has an innate power which is compelling and destructive, but he fails again to define these terms, and does not discuss the creative and stifling effects of the sublime. Both Kant and Diderot have critiqued Kant and have taken these concepts and expanded on them. Kant has brought notice to Burke's lack of investigation into the psychology that affects our senses. It is true that Diderot has a debt to Burke and his insights as do many who bravely followed to investigate our notion of aesthetics. The hunt can be carried out on many a varied trail through a forest of leave covered tracks, but the astute investigator can always find traces that will lead him to a personal conclusion as to what is beautiful. Next we will see how our notion of beauty differs from that of othercultures and how our distorted Western view is at odds with more philosophical notions of beauty found elsewhere.
" By beauty I mean that quality or those qualities in bodies, by which they cause love, or some passion similar to it."
Burke