Is beauty an opinion? Or a fact?

[Already_over]

The question speaks for itself.

Does the adjective "beautiful" differ through perspectives? Or is there a standard in which we can judge whether a person is considered beautiful?

This is a very open question, so feel free to say anything.

[peace-love-couture]

Beauty is subjective, therefore it is an opinion.

It varies by individual, as well as culture, country and continent. In many parts of the world, there is the "white" standard of beauty, generally speaking it applies to advertising rather than society. In modeling, whites are not the standard of beauty, instead, and exotic look is.

The most common characteristics of beauty are:

-Straight white teeth

-Clear healthy skin

-Healthy, soft manageable hair

-Healthy body

-Good hygiene

There are some parts of the world where being overweight is desired, such as Morocco(I believe) and I'm sure these do not all apply, they are simply examples.

[italykam]

Good question. Everyones view of beauty can difr. Yes there are people that many people can consider beautiful, but that person may not be beautiful to others. Just the same, someone may find beauty in someone that other people had not seen. It goes both ways. It is definitely an opinion.

[Already_over]

We all know that fashion models are the symbol of perfection in terms of appearances, and hence we can all agree they are "beautiful". But I think this adjective can hold a duality; beauty can be an opinion when we put personality into perspective. Hence, you can either be considered beautiful through appearances, or through inner qualities.

I think the question could potentially be improved by asking which quality of beauty people value the most.

Thanks a lot for your input : )

[italykam]

It absolutely could be. I like what you have to say about it. It is all so true in this society and what people believe. Thank you for the BA :)

[Greeneyes4242]

I think "beauty" has a lot to do with the person's particular tastes. However, I do believe that some people are thought of as beautiful by more people than others. But I also believe that everyone has their own beauty somewhere (no matter how clichéd that sounds).

[Already_over]

I completely agree.

As far as appearances go, some people are more privileged than others. But people's perspective on beauty changed over time; During the 1600 ~ 1800, body fats were considered as a symbol of wealth and power, which in turn suggested beauty. Nowadays, most will not agree that fats are considered beautiful. This this really proves that beauty is an ever-changing opinion.

[dudeman]

uhhh its definitely an opinion because I don't find a lot of "beautiful women" attractive

[Already_over]

Yeah. During my adolescence, I used to think all models are "beautiful". But, as I met some teen-magazine models, I was completely appalled by their lack of morals...and I could hardly consider them as being beautiful. Or at least, I would not even consider claiming friendship with that person.

[Lala_NinjaCakes]

I think it's a little bit of both. Personal opinion influences who and what we find beautiful a great deal, but there is also a subconscious attraction to traits that signify good health, due to our basic desire to mate and reproduce. It's a well-known fact that many celebrities and models that are considered beautiful, handsome, etc, have a face that is perfectly symmetrical, and fits the "Golden Ratio". Symmetry ensures unrelated lineage and therefore is more likely to produce healthy offspring. There's definitely a science to beauty.

[WovenEclipse]

Opinion. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder :) Though everyone is beautiful in their own way :D (haha, I sound intellectual due to using a fancy saying heh heh >:3)

[HidingMyHeart]

i think that it's a perspective that only you yourself can judge. Someone else can't tell you who is beautiful like they can for someone who's pretty. Beautiful isn't just skin deep, it's everything.

[Anonymous]

beauty is different from person to person, but the general opinion in this country seems to be big eyes, shiny hair and clear skin

[Dom163]

Beauty is perspective

[enlightenment]

opinion

[smokahontas]

its an opinion