The Mind of the beholder.

[Gravit1]

I find it is important to delineate ideal beauty and actual attraction. Without this distinction people fall into the dretch of insecurity. Ideal beauty or Aesthetic beauty is unanimous or near unanimous within cultures. This is beauty of the mind or artistic beauty, it isn't real in the physical sense, but rather the mental one. Images and or ideas appeal to this kind of beauty. This is where people can get off on fantasies rather than actual attraction. It only takes an image or idea to stimulate this fantasy. Though I may find a girls picture pleasant or aesthetically beautiful, it is independent of actual attraction. Actual attraction is a physical response that isn't voluntary, but dependent on pheromones. It is a very visceral attraction as your body literally wants that person. This has happened independent of a girl's picture and enhances whatever is there. So many people are caught up in there image or digital appearance, but this will never be equal to actual attraction. Images will only appeal to fantasy and isn't much different than a painting.

[Babygirl_S]

I strongly agree because real attraction is based on the appearance and personality of an individual. The way he talks, smells, treats you etc. are really crucial things to consider. If feelings are reciprocated, then the same person appears more handsome.

[SecretGardenBlood65]

Good take

[Guy13]

What you are saying is that we are incapable of choosing attractions which is nonsensical.

[Gravit1]

No, rather that choice is tainted by our chosen thought process. That process can be influenced by chemical factors, but sometimes we fall in love with our own ideas than the person. Biological attraction requires something an image or painting cannot offer. An image can transmit an ideas or ideals and those can be stimulating, but pale in comparison to the real thing.

[Guy13]

That’s nonsensical. Because it is biological doesn’t mean we don’t choose or Think. You might be an impulsive droid whose actions are determined (actual) without decision but I’m not. I have a biological urge to screw this girl but I choose not too…. I don’t like jail. If you believe in determinism and are Skinnerian proponent where everything is a result of impulse. You don’t know or understand what you are trying to say

[Gravit1]

Behavior is certainly influenced by environment, but I don't go as far as to controlled! At the end one will make a decision, but it would be disingenuous to suggest biological factors are not involved in that decision. We recognize traits of a woman otherwise there would be no sculpture or paintings. The volume and length or her hair, the softness of her lines, and the shape of her figure. These qualities can be extreme or exaggerated and in turn appeal to the mind when portrayed in any medium. That appeal to the mind is in spite of the biological reality. When it comes to actual physical attraction it is through biological factors. Beauty that is idealized is a product of the mind, but attraction beyond physical can include it. The attraction one can have without image is more important and can be missed when corrupted by the mind.

This isn't simply about finding an image appealing or desirable, but how that expectation is artificial and can be corrupted. The reason that something artificial can be appealing is based on one's desire for it to be real or fulfill their fantasy/expectation. That idea/fantasy/expectation can block out the truth and overlook someone's own benefit.

[strateguy632]

good distinction between attraction and prettiness

[monkeynutts]

Unfortunately humans can be physically attracted to each other, and also intensely dislike one another. Relationships can be complicated.