Friday, May 31, 2013

Beauty

“Through the pursuit of beauty,” suggests Scruton, “we shape the world as our own and come to understand our nature as spiritual beings. But art has turned its back on beauty and now we are surrounded by ugliness.”



Roger Scruton presents a provoking essay on the importance of beauty in the arts and in our lives. There is so much food for thought in this documentary, who is to say, after all, what constitutes beauty? And by what standards do we judge that is which is beautiful in this fast pace fast food disposable world?

We cannot reach a consensus on the definition of beauty, any more than on the definition of other such volatile terms. But we can reach a consensus on the importance of beauty, and its place in our lives
.-Roger Scruton


Every artist interested in the place and importance of art in society should take look at this documentary.  Scruton argues that art is something that should elevate the human spirit, that beauty is critical to art and human happiness. Great art should speak to both the intellect and emotions. Maybe Keats said it best when he wrote the line, "beauty is truth, truth beauty".   




Roger Scruton writer and philosopher
John Keats. 1795–1821
“BEAUTY IS TRUTH, TRUTH BEAUTY”
Truth speaks to the intellect, beauty to the emotions.


Explore - Question - Learn - Enjoy, Jim