Free Essay

The Judgement of Beauty

In:

Submitted By ckw4
Words 1555
Pages 7
The Judgement of Beauty

The judgments of beauty are universally consistent and biologically based, not influenced by culture and individual history. Argue for or against this statement using what you have learned from the course to support your point of view. You may use one or more examples from outside readings to illustrate your points.

“Beauty”, as defined in the Oxford Dictionary (2015), is a collection of pleasant qualities, especially those increase the attractiveness of a person or an object. It can be categorized into two different kinds: external beauty and inner beauty (Panek, 2011). External beauty mainly focuses on appearance and body shape (Etcoff, 1999), while inner beauty refers to internal qualities which is considered nice and graceful to others (Perry, 2011). A person described as “beautiful” usually possess a combination of both. While the concept of “inner beauty” is universal, the standard of external beauty is subject to variations (Carla615, 2011), hence would be the main focus of this essay. Some believe that such judgments are universally consistent and based on biological evidence, while others are convinced that culture and one’s individual background may also impact on judgements of beauty. In fact, judgments of beauty are made under a mixed factor of biological intuition, individual history and cultural change. They are not universal across the world.

Across centuries, the standard of beauty was always under the influence of culture. Culture are “the combination of ideas, customs and social behaviors within a particular society” (Oxford Dictionary, 2015). Differences in time and geographical regions result in differences in numerous cultures. Idealized features of feminine beauty differ because of variation in culture. Specific practices include foot binding in ancient China (Week 9 Beauty, 2015); Ohaguro, blackening of teeth, in ancient Japanese (Meghan, 2014) and tight-lacing in 18th century Europe. (Klingerman, 2006) These practices were neither performed in other regions at the same period of time nor in modern society. This reflects that judgements of beauty varies across culture and time. Variations in standard of beauty can also be found in modern society. In the Western culture, skinny women are considered as attractive. However, skinny bodies are regarded as in need of costly treatment in Zambia. While plump-shaped bodies represent affluence, thus are more appreciated. (Visser, 2013) Difference in symbol of wealth leads to difference in judgement of beauty. This clearly shows that even in the same era, preference of beauty can still differ from culture to culture. These evidences can prove that the standards of beauty are inconsistent and differ across various cultures.
Some believe the presence of a universal standard of health and wealth in standard of beauty. Sociobiologist Symons (as cited in Jackson, 1992) convinced that there exists a consistent biological standard of beauty of facial attractiveness. Facial characteristics that represent healthiness and youth were bonded with beauty because of their association with fertility (as cited in Jackson, 1992). Moreover, opposite preferences of body figure in both Western countries and Zambia are in fact based on pursuit of a symbol of wealth. (Visser, 2013) This might be true but still, diversity occurs when comparison is made among various culture. For example, skin colors illustrating health vary among races (Bernstein, Lin & McClelland, 1982). Black teeth represent healthiness in ancient Japan (Meghan, 2014), which contradict sharply with the modern standard of white teeth (Höfel L, Lange M & Jacobsen T, 2007). Therefore, even though judgements might be made based on universal criteria, variations still exist in characteristics preferred.

Besides cultural influence, one’s individual history could cause impacts on his or her judgement of beauty. According to the Oxford Dictionary (2015), “individual” refers to a single person and “history” refers to the series of past events which are related to either him or her (Oxford Dictionary, 2015). Therefore, individual history could be defined as a series of past event, including education, family and friends and community of a particular person. Differences in individual history between people result in differences in the standard of beauty. This effect is revealed at childhood, when a child is developing his own judgmental power, including that of beauty. According to the social learning theory raised by N. E. Miller and J. Dollard in 1941, children acquire knowledge through observation and imitation of others’ actions (Miller & Dollard, 1945). Children would practice actions they have observed and examine reactions of people surrounding. Hence, observation provides an individual the major source of internal adjustment in order to develop and maintain consistent attitudes with the surrounding. This could be applied in the case of development of judgement of beauty. The opinions of beauty received by children from people surrounding such as family and peers would be internalized and become part of their own standard in evaluation of beauty. In fact, Chigier and Chigier (as cited in Jackson, 1992) discovered that the perceptions of Israeli children towards obesity vary with their father’s. Children whose fathers came from countries that had or is having food scarcity tend to possess “a more favorable attitude towards the obesity”. Langlois and Styczynski’s study (1977) proved that children tend to use the “same criteria” as adults they encountered frequently when determining facial attractiveness. These studies prove that environment which one grows up in do affect his development of standard of beauty. Some may argue that individual has his own thought which would not be easily influenced by others. However, individuals tend to follow and adopt the standard which have been accepted by majority surrounded (Nadeau, Cloutier & Guay, 1993). Thus it is reasonable to conclude that individual history is one of the influential factors when developing judgements of beauty.

The standards of beauty changes constantly since the beginning of human civilization. While a universal standard can still be found within the same geographical region and culture based on biological factors, different rating across culture on facial attractiveness and body shape can be discovered. Moreover, various theories have proved the effect of individual background over one’s judgement of beauty. Even though the standard of beauty seems to be constant among majority owing to social learning process, there is still a slightly difference in between (Aesthetic Judgment, 2014). This essay has proved that the judgements of beauty are not universally consistent. They depend on biological factors and influence by both cultural and individual history.
(947 words)

Bibliography
Aesthetic Judgment. (2014, Augest 26). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aesthetic-judgment/#1.1
Beauty. (2015). In Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.). Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com.lib.ezproxy.ust.hk/view/10.1093/acref/9780199571123.001.0001/m_en_gb0067740?rskey=3Y4I28&result=1
Bernstein, I. H., Lin, T. D. & McClellan, P. (1982). Cross- vs. Within-Racial Judgement of Attractiveness. Perception and Psychophysics, 32(6), 495-503
Carla615. (2011). Compare and Contrast - Inner Beauty and Outer Beauty [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://carla615.blogspot.hk/2011/10/compare-and-contrast-inner-beauty-and.html
Compare and Contrast - Inner Beauty and Outer Beauty. (2011, October 19). Retrieved from http://carla615.blogspot.hk/2011/10/compare-and-contrast-inner-beauty-and.html
Culture. (2015). In Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.). Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199571123.001.0001/m_en_gb0196870?rskey=biqTXl&result=1
Etcoff, N. (1999). Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty. New York, US: Doubleday
Histiory. (2015). In Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.). Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com.lib.ezproxy.ust.hk/view/10.1093/acref/9780199571123.001.0001/m_en_gb0380370?rskey=UaNGSH&result=40275
Höfel L, Lange M & Jacobsen T. (2007) Beauty and the teeth: perception of tooth color and its influence on the overall judgment of facial attractiveness. The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, 27(4), 349-357.
Individual. (2015). In Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.). Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com.lib.ezproxy.ust.hk/view/10.1093/acref/9780199571123.001.0001/m_en_gb0407910?rskey=xmty05&result=1
Jackson, L. A. (1992). Physical Appearance and Gender. New York, US: State University of New York Press
Klingerman, K. M. (2006). Binding Femininity: An Examination of the Effects on Tightlacing on the Female Pelvis (Master’s thesis). Louisiana State Universit, US.
Langlois, J. & Styczynski, L. (1979). The Effect of Physical Attractiveness on the Behavioral Attributions and Peer Preferences of Acquainted Children. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 2, 325-341
Meghan. (2014, September 12). Ohaguro and Yaeba Japanese Cosmetic Dentistry. Retrieved from http://www.cvltnation.com/ohaguro-and-yaeba-japanese-cosmetic-dentistry/
Millar, N. & Dollard, J. (1945). Social Learning and Imitation. Oxon, UK: Routledge, Trench, Trubner and Co., Ltd
Nadeau, R., Cloutier, E. & Guay, J. H. (1993). New Evidence about the Existence of a Bandwagon Effect in the Opinion Formation Process. International Political Science Review, 14(2), 203-213
Panek, J. (2011, January 9). Beauty (Inner Beauty vs. Outer Beauty). Retrieved from http://www.aseekersthoughts.com/2011/01/beauty-inner-beauty-vs-outer-beauty.html
Perry, S. L. (2011). Behind The Pretty Woman. Michigan, US: SLP Enterprises
Visser, J. (2013, June 7). The Perception of Beauty in Different Cultures [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.douglife.ca/zambia-glp/2013/06/the-perception-of-beauty-in-different-cultures/
Week 9 Beauty. (n.d.). HUMA 1000 [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from http://lmes2.ust.hk/access/content/group/d2c9732e-fd3f-49a8-9d75-d068f354865c/Lecture%20PPTs/Week%209%20Beauty%20_Apr.%201_.pdf

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Jane Austen's Persuasion Essay

...This hypothesis proposed by Brontë provides an explanation for Austen’s exploration of the subject during a short exchange of dialogue between Anne and Elisabeth in Persuasion. Anne claims that "there is hardly any personal defect … which an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to,” before Elisabeth’s opposing view is revealed when she states "an agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.” Personal appearance affects people’s perceptions of personality; the “agreeable manner” must “reconcile” and overthrow the automatically prescribed “unfavourable opinions of … mind and disposition,” as stated in Agnes Grey. Anne’s wisdom is conveyed through her untroubled acknowledgement of this fact, in...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

International Accounting and Finance

...money. What they would like to consider is how they can use six pathways by considering both cultural and ethical issues they will meet in two markets to make decisions. The essay will be mainly focus on using six pathways to make decision in China market. The right decisions will make investors invest on them and they can raise money from them. Main body Decision making can be made through six different ways. Throughput Model highlights the various pathways in which ethical reasoning can affect a decision may be helpful for future decision. The first pathway is P-D (perception-decision). The fashion designer of ABC Company is a British. As what he thinks, fashion is to pursue personal’s beauty. So the clothes he designs are tightly shape or sexy which can represent a beauty of human body. The company sell them to China. As a result, it does not receive an expectation marketing share. The reason is that the designer is based on its own perception (P) for fashion without considering Chinese traditional culture before making a decision (D). Clothing forming China is not as important as that in UK or US. Chinese pay more attention to the artistic conception not the character’s body. It can also be seen that Chinese and Americans have different values. Americans are more likely to realize their own value, while Chinese are more likely harmonious. As the information is incomplete, or inadequately understood, only based on perception, the company could not make cloths...

Words: 1014 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Sistine Chapel Research Project

...his death, and confirmed in 1535 by his successor, Pope Paul III (1468-1549) who was considered the first Counter Reformation Pope. As a religious artwork it was the largest single fresco mural painting of the 16th century (www.everypainterpaintshimself.com/). It was part of the mannerism movement in art and architecture between the 14th and 15th century to show the distortion and exaggeration of human proportions to represent an ideal of beauty rather than its natural form. The last judgement is depicted as a Counter-Reformation painting that reflected embarrassment of the Roman Catholic Church after the failure to stop the protestant reformation (Kedler, 1969, p 160). Furthermore it was created after the Sack of Rome in 1527 by troops of Emperor Charles V, in which compelled the Pope to abandon the Vatican and flee to Orvieto. These events were perceived by some as an indication of a divine wrath by God. The painting was presented to the Catholic community as universal message of the second coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgement by God of all humanity. The Last Judgment was a very controversial piece at the time because, unlike other artists, Michelangelo portrayed the subjects naked in which demonstrated the lack of importance that riches would have at the end of the world when humanity stands before the judgment of Christ and God (www.visual-arts-cork.com/). Unlike his earlier...

Words: 727 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Kinds of Research Theory

...ofphilosophy dealing with the nature of art, beauty, and taste, with the creation and appreciation of beauty.[1][2] It is more scientifically defined as the study ofsensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentimentand taste.[3] More broadly, scholars in the field define aesthetics as "critical reflection on art, culture and nature."[4][5] More specific aesthetic theory, often with practical implications, relating to a particular branch of the arts is divided into areas of aesthetics such as art theory, literary theory, film theory and music theory. An example from art theory is aesthetic theory as a set of principles underlying the work of a particular artist or artistic movement: such as the Cubist aesthetic.[6] Contents Edit The word aesthetic is derived from the Greek αἰσθητικός (aisthetikos, meaning "esthetic, sensitive, sentient"), which in turn was derived from αἰσθάνομαι (aisthanomai, meaning "I perceive, feel, sense").[7] The term "aesthetics" was appropriated and coined with new meaning in the German form Æsthetik(modern spelling Ästhetik) by Alexander Baumgarten in 1735. Aesthetics and the philosophy of artEdit Aesthetics is for the artist as Ornithology is for the birds. — Barnett Newman[8][9] For some, aesthetics is considered a synonym for the philosophy of art sinceHegel, while others insist that there is a significant distinction between these closely related fields. In practice aesthetic judgement refers to the sensory contemplation or appreciation...

Words: 1092 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

How Obesity Lower Self-Esteem of Filipino Women

...Introduction The modern lifestyle of Filipinos suggests that we are slowly inclining to less physical activity and unhealthy eating. Surveys found that we are more into consumption of convenience and fast food. If you were to observe, our eating is patterned to consuming and patronizing food that are processed which are heavy in fat, salt, preservatives and other additives. This habit exposes us to different diseases, most particularly to obesity. The number of cases of obesity in the Philippines is continuously increasing. This has been proven by a research conducted in 2013 by the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity Incorporated. According to them, three out of ten Filipinos are suffering from obesity. Moreover, Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology has supported these findings and claimed that it is a “growing epidemic”. The results also show that there are more cases of female obesity than male. Obesity is commonly associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and mortality. (Corbin & Welk, 1970) For women, obesity implies more risk in developing complications due to maternity. Before, it was only a term for the condition of a person who suffered from exposure to unhealthy living that created excess weight. (Fahey, Insel & Roth, 2011) An article in the Journal of Obesity revealed that many obese people suffer from depression and low self-appreciation. In the study, it was observed...

Words: 3065 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

The White Earth Chapter 1 Analysis

...inform your writing. Ever since the settlement of the British in Australia, the environment and indigenous culture became a thing of the past, consumerism took the forefront over spiritual connection to the land and Its history, mans sole concern was to 'develop' the land by turning the trees into houses, no matter the ramifications of his actions. Andrew McGahan's, The White Earth explores ideas of the destruction of the environment as a result of white settlement in Australia, and how this has impacted man's spiritual connection to the land. Such ideas are conveyed through the use of language, juxtaposition and point of view. Many language techniques are utilised throughout this text in order to express ideas about the beauty of nature and how this beauty is being destroyed through the careless acts of man. The use of symbolism implies a much broader and deeper meaning to the words chosen by the author, for example when Mcgahan writes, “There were only these notches hewn in the tree trunks, slowly disappearing.” He intends for a much broader interpretation of the disappearance of footholds in the trees; he is commenting on the slow disappearance of the Aboriginal culture through the use of symbolism. Another way in which McGahan employs language techniques in order to explore ideas is through the use of personification; the author brings the environment to life through personification as a means to provoke sympathy from the reader. “Bizarrely shaped fungi, feeding off the rotting...

Words: 1152 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Re: Art, Beauty...

...Beauty is in the eye of the beholder because each and every person has their own idea of what beauty is. There is no universally accepted standard of what a beautiful person or what a aesthetic art  looks like, so people can set their own standards. I agree most with Ducasse  as there may be a generalization of what is considered beauty but everybody make judgement based on their subjectivity  and be their own judge of what art is. This is from the essay Taste cannot be Disputed Beardsley as the “Aesthetic Skeptic.”  ----- “the apparent reasons are not genuine reasons, or cannot be compelling reasons, like the ones we find in other fields” ----“though it is true that you can’t change a disliking into a liking by arguments, that doesn’t imply that you can’t change it at all, or that we cannot argue whether or not it ought to be changed  Aesthetic tastes cannot be disputed; Tastes are something physiological and environmental that a person acquires over the period of time and  that is unique to everyone, each reason defending a taste is merely just a mere preference by a person  because there are no objective standards for judgment, and finally argument cannot change taste. I think some of the  Beardsley’s points against the aesthetic skeptic; still, I don’t think I should agree with the fact that taste can be disputed. There is no disputing on Collingwood’s view amusement and magical art.I like his statement about what he said about art simply function to entertain or amuse...

Words: 318 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Three Issues Considered

...Three Issues Considered The first question I will address is “Are science and philosophy closely interrelated, or are they different in their goals and methods? Science supposes that there is only one proper basis of knowledge, it is experiment and rational analysis of nature. Philosophy tends to say that there are many ways of understanding, just as there are many forms of knowledge and many beginnings of that knowledge. In the beginning there were sciences but no actual scientist. They were all known as philosophers. Philosophy invented intellectual thought and rigorous reasoning which in turn is what invented the sciences. Philosophy continues to influence science by questioning the science's weaknesses. Some people think that the sciences can stand apart from philosophy. That philosophy is all questions, never giving a real answer. Where as, science is a methodology that is based on research and experimentation. “The specific sciences cannot and should not break their connections with true philosophy” (Spirkin, A.). By doing this they would have no questions for them to research and experiment. According to Wolff, the Milesians who are considered philosophers were also scientist. Thales who is known as the first philosopher was an astronomer. By his knowledge of the stars he could predict the weather (Wolff, 14). “Following Thales were the Milesians Anaximander and Anaximenes, who expanded and developed speculative theories about the basic components of nature and...

Words: 1903 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Whose Reality- Leunig

...teenager trying to go through high school I am surrounded by the media altering my reality. The media acts as ‘dictator’; someone who has complete control over me and an overwhelming pressure to be something that it wants me to be. In the magazines I read and the shows I watch on TV, an image is portrayed to me of what beauty is. In the words of Leunig “the limbs are longs, the smile loaded and the eyes with promise, the bottom tightly bound”. However, after reading Leunig’s article I have come to realise that this image the media portrays is nearly impossible. I now see that the media affects the way I view my reality. How am I supposed to look like that? I often question looking at these beautiful women and handsome men. The media have an overwhelming command that ‘thou shall be attractive’, but Leunig’s article teaches me that beauty is subjective and the task of trying to be like the people in the magazine is a huge weight that cannot be achieved. Through the article I now know that reality is based on the media that we encounter. The world is a harsh and judging reality and because of this many people choose to leave it. The way in which the media show beauty, means that anyone who is remotely different or unique is harshly judged by their peers. We all have that need to be somewhat attractive and like me,...

Words: 903 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Frankenstein: Motif

...Frankenstein is a novel that explores what can happen if one decides to go against the laws of nature with science. Victor frankenstein, an intelligent but selfish man, created a monster in what I believe to be an attempt to make up for the loss of his mother. The monster itself was not necessarily a “monster”, but after horrible treatment and cruel judgements by people including it’s own creator it became one. The people reacted so negatively to the creation because it was unnatural; this was a recurring idea throughout the novel. In contrast to the unnatural monster, there is an emphasis on the beauty of nature and of what is natural, along with many other elements of romanticism. Frankenstein calls attention to the relation of nature and beauty in contrast to the idea of unnatural monstrosities. Beauty and Nature is a clear motif in the novel, and this can be seen primarily with the monster itself. It was clearly not natural as it was made by a man using pieces of decomposing humans, and people reacted to it as such. the unnatural creation was anything but beautiful; in fact, it was frightening. The only reason that the monster was treated as it was, was its appearance. This can be seen specifically when the monster was living near the family in the cottage. The old blind man was welcoming and kind to the monster, but the children, who could see the hideous unnatural creation, forced it to leave and then separated themselves from the monster further by moving. Along with...

Words: 505 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Illness Is Bad Luck

...‘Illness is simply a matter of bad luck, bad judgement, or bad genetics’ is a statement that expressed how health can be affected by the ‘luck’ of the environment that an individual is born into. The aforementioned statement expressed how health can be affected through a bad judgement of misdiagnoses made by health practitioners. The statement then declared how having bad genes allows an individual to become more susceptible to specific disease (Marvell, 2012). This statement focused on how health is influenced by psychological (bad judgement) and biomedical (bad genes) determinants, for example, being overweight is seen has having bad genes however, sociocultural factors such as gender, media and age can also largely affect an individuals’ health status. In 2002 the World Health Organization (WHO) released the Madrid Statement, saying: "to achieve the highest standard of health, health policies have to recognize that women and men, owing to their biological differences and their gender roles, have different needs, obstacles and opportunities." Meaning that the needs and barriers of both women and men (for example, women are more likely to develop breast cancer than males) are a major influence on the health of the individual and if the Government wants to achieve high national health, knowing the needs and overcoming the barriers must be addressed. A bad luck obstacle males have to face is the expectancy to participate in labour intensive jobs such as being a constructor and...

Words: 1896 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

The Last Judgement By Michelangelo

...Hi, Joseph. Thank you for sharing your representative artifact choices. For the Renaissance Era, I too chose to reflect on “The Last Judgement” by Michelangelo. It was just too dynamic to scroll past during my research. Prior to this class, I had never seen that particular work. Yes, I have been exposed to other areas of the Sistine Chapel, but never The Last Judgement. I truly do not know how I could have missed it. It is quite phenomenal. It is one of the busiest paintings I have ever seen. When I think of Michelangelo, “The Pieta” immediately comes to mind. His ability to breathe life into his creation shows his passion for what he does. Like “The Pieta,” Michelangelo paid so much attention to detail. Every facet of the judgement...

Words: 432 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Aveda Letter Of Intent Analysis

...myself, who I am, and what I am passionate about. I believe attending Aveda Institute for Esthiology is the beginning of a path which can provide many open doors and options for my future in the beauty industry. I can say with confidence that this is where I belong and if given the opportunity it is where I will succeed. Success in my opinion means a few things. First and foremost setting goals and reaching them but also challenging yourself. A successful person to me is a person who loves what they do for a living. Having a career doing something that you are passionate about makes every day exciting, and work becomes more than just a job that pays...

Words: 629 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Business Law

...Colorado Technical University Business Proposal and Formation Business Law I MGMT235-1503A-09 Unit 5 I P Instructor: Dr. Leslie Cooper-Blood By: Betty Smith August 10, 2015 Introduction to Lady B’s Salon This introduction is to institute the spawning of Lady B’s Salon within the state of Alabama. The company will be a full-service salon that offers an enormous amount of services that goes beyond the normal stylist salons. This proposal outlines the steps and measures that will be taken during the structuring of the development. The type of business that will be engaged within is a full-service beauty salon, which will incur a general partnership with my daughter, who is a licensed cosmetologist and will share all liabilities and profits/losses of the business. Within this salon business, the services that will be provided and/or offered will be hair stylists, barbers, nail technicians [manicures/pedicures], waxing and tanning, massage therapy, child care services, entertainment room/food service, and sauna rooms. In order to fulfill this business strategy, it will be necessary to engage in a full partnership with equal investors and attaining secured loans to support the business endeavors. The salon will offer many of the higher end products and services that will drastically increase the revenue and returns within the business. The salon will initiate in an approximately 3000 sq. ft. building and it will commence with some of the more trendy products and services...

Words: 2925 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

19th Century Transcendentalism

...realistic, dark side of humanity than regular romanticism. Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne are the backbone of dark romantic literature, as illustrated through underlying meanings. As opposed to the perfectionist beliefs of Transcendentalism, the dark romantics emphasized human imperfection and sinfulness and tendency of self-destruction. By using the concept of obsession and exploration of nature, Poe and Hawthorne brought forth evidence that women in 19th century society endure mans judgement(??) while men themselves self-destruct from their own misinterpretation of human nature and a woman's capability to , which still continue to still prove relevant in modern society....

Words: 584 - Pages: 3