hb Flashcards
(20 cards)
How did Thomas Aquinas define beauty?
Beauty is defined as ‘that which, upon being seen, pleases.’
What did neuroscience reveal about beauty?
The brain processes beauty in the same region that processes both pleasure and disgust.
What are the three properties identified by Plato and Aristotle?
- Truth
- Goodness
- Beauty
What term did Plato and Aristotle use to describe beauty, truth, and goodness?
Transcendentals
What does the Latin term ‘transcendere’ mean?
‘To exceed’ or ‘to rise beyond.’
How does beauty relate to spirituality according to Thomas Dubay?
The acute experience of great beauty evokes a nameless yearning for something more than earth can offer.
What distinguishes beauty from other transcendentals?
Beauty bypasses analytical shields and directly impacts the heart.
Is beauty subjective?
Beauty is considered subjective, but it elicits predictable neurological changes.
What physiological responses occur when exposed to beauty?
- Release of oxytocin and endorphins
- Lower heart rate
- Lower blood pressure
What role does mathematical patterns play in architecture related to beauty?
Mathematical patterns create visual harmony, which makes us feel safe and calms our nervous system.
Name three architectural styles that incorporate mathematical concepts.
- Islamic design
- Egyptian pyramids
- Hindu temples
What is the primary role of beauty in culture?
Beauty serves as the meeting place between the limitations of our lives and the invitation to the infinite.
How does beauty help pass on culture?
Beauty inspires through beautiful stories, songs, objects, and buildings, uniting people in their collective identity.
What happens when a culture loses touch with beauty?
Without beauty, culture begins to unravel.
True or False: Beauty is entirely subjective.
False
What can individuals do to make the world more beautiful?
They can enhance their lives through the way they dress, read, listen to music, and decorate their homes.
What is the significance of Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’?
It’s endowed with an arresting beauty and raises questions about the identity of the model.
What type of work is ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ classified as?
A tronie
Fill in the blank: Beauty is a bridge between ______ and objective reality.
[individual experience]
What does beauty represent in the context of culture?
Beauty links culture and spirituality, connecting individuals to greater purpose.
