“By means of beauty all beautiful things become beautiful.“ — Phaedo, Plato
Tweet
In his dialogue “Phaedo,” Plato discusses the concept of beauty and how it relates to other beautiful things. According to Plato, beauty is a quality that is inherent in certain objects and beings, and it is through this quality of beauty that these things become beautiful.
This idea can be seen as a way of explaining why certain things are considered beautiful, while others are not. For example, a flower may be considered beautiful because it possesses the quality of beauty, while a rock may not be considered beautiful because it lacks this quality.
“By means of beauty all beautiful things become beautiful. For this appears to me the safest answer to give both to myself and others; and adhering to this, I think that I shall never fall, but that it is a safe answer both for me and any one else to give — that by means of beauty beautiful things become beautiful.“ — Phaedo, Plato
Tweet
Plato’s concept of beauty also suggests that beauty is not a subjective quality, but rather an objective one. In other words, beauty is not determined by an individual’s personal preferences or cultural upbringing, but rather by the inherent qualities of the object or being itself.
This idea is particularly relevant in today’s world, where there is often a great deal of debate over what is considered beautiful. Many people have different opinions on what constitutes beauty, and these opinions are often influenced by their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.
However, Plato’s concept of beauty suggests that there is a universal standard of beauty that is independent of these subjective factors. According to Plato, beauty is an objective quality that is present in certain things and beings, and it is through this quality that these things become beautiful.
In conclusion, Plato’s concept of beauty suggests that beauty is an objective quality inherent in certain objects and beings, and that it is through this quality that these things become beautiful. This idea is a valuable one to consider in a world where beauty is often a subjective and culturally relative concept.
If you are interested in learning more about the concept of beauty and how it is understood in the philosophy of Plato, I highly recommend the book “The Symposium” by Plato. In this dialogue, Plato explores the nature of love and beauty through a series of speeches given by various characters. Through these speeches, Plato delves into the idea that beauty is an objective quality that is inherent in certain things and beings, and that it is through this quality that these things become beautiful. This book provides a detailed and thought-provoking exploration of Plato’s views on beauty, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this topic.
If you have read “The Symposium” or have any thoughts on the concept of beauty as discussed by Plato, we would love to hear from you in the comments section below. This is a fascinating topic that has been debated by philosophers for centuries, and we would be interested in hearing your thoughts and perspective on the matter. So don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and join the discussion!
Sapiens Verbum 