Close Your Eyes and Listen...
HELLO GENTLE READERS,
Sometimes a question will lay on my mind for days or, even weeks. This used to frustrate me but, I have learned, over the years, to just let it be until the fullness of thought manifests itself. Either my thoughts will crystalize on their own or I'll read, hear or see something to clarify them. Lately that subject has been physical beauty. More specifically, pretty people. I tried to write my way toward clarity with the entry, The Eye of the Beholder, but still, the thought persisted. I just finished reading ELUSIVEBFY's elegant post Pretty Please and I'm still not at a point of resolution on the subject. My behavior toward beauty is not completely consistant with my philosophy.
Webster defines beauty as "pleasing to the eye". The ancient Greeks formulized the "golden mean"; an arithmatic formula of proportion that is still used in designing buildings, automobiles and even interstate signs. Psychology has recently indicated that the Greek's proportionality math also applies to the human form. The eyes spaced apart at thus and such a ratio to the length of the nose, both in proper proportion to the width of the mouth and height and breadth of the face and so on. Similar ratios apply to the body as a whole. All well and good but, what is beauty? Is physical beauty a matter of ratios? Perhaps.
Anthropologists tells us that, correct or not, we humans are drawn toward "beautiful" members of the opposite sex because regularity of features indicates good health. That handsome men are seen to be more likely to sire healthy children and pretty women more likely to bear them. By the way, the same motives seem to apply in the animal kingdom. Even chickens will choose a "pretty" partner when given a choice. Is physical beauty a matter of procreation. Perhaps.
Judy Collins, a singer popular many years ago, was not a "drop-dead" beauty. Attractive enough, but, not a "fox". I remember going to a concert of hers and thinking she's really quite average looking. Then she stepped up to the mike and the voice of an angel soared throughout the concert hall. All of a sudden, she was a butterfly....
Tom Vickers
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wiccanwharf on
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Hi Tom, Thank-you for the invite to be "friends". I just came over and read your post and loved it. One of things that jumped out at me was when you mentioned Judy Collins. I haven't heard her music for ages but absolutely loved it. Her voice was like a crystal chandelier. How lucky you were to be able to see her perform!! I believe that beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder but that beauty can be shallow and meaningless and then again it can be filled with depth where two become soulmates. Great post! Hope you have a nice day:) Brightest blessings, Willow |
