Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Count Lucanor]

What is the link between beauty and the law of conservation of energy? It is a philosophical question. Can anyone see it?

There's none, but I suppose someone might want to find one and make a statement. Then we could debate that proposal.

[Steve3007]

Many people say they think the sunset is beautiful. In what way could a sunset be said to be symmetrical?

It's approximately symmetrical about a vertical line drawn through the centre of the sun when it sets over the sea and there are no clouds. But I suppose that's not why people think it's beautiful. At least, I've never heard them say so.

I wonder if there is anybody who thinks the setting sun is ugly. That might give us a clue as to why other people think it's beautiful.

[Burning ghost]

Beauty has nothing to do with symmetry or asymmetry.

I disagree.

I would go one step further and say that is complete nonsense and factually wrong. Don't hold back Steve "disagree" is a tame response

[Steve3007]

I would go one step further and say that is complete nonsense and factually wrong. Don't hold back Steve "disagree" is a tame response

I strongly disagree.

I think your post is unsymmetrical!

[Burning ghost]

Steve -

How dare yo- ... wait ... er ... Okay you got me! haha!!

[Steve3007]

Yes but I should have said asymmetrical, not unsymmetrical.

Unsymmetrical is a bit of an asymmetrical sounding word.

[growthhormone]

What is the link between beauty and the law of conservation of energy? It is a philosophical question. Can anyone see it?

There's none, but I suppose someone might want to find one and make a statement. Then we could debate that proposal.

Thanks for your idea

[growthhormone]

What is the link between beauty and the law of conservation of energy? It is a philosophical question. Can anyone see it?

That's easy!

The law of conservation of energy is a beautiful theory!

Great! But why is the law of conservation of energy beautiful ?

[growthhormone]

The most reliable thing to support a theory/concept is fact not any human being including physicists. There are too many facts that discredit the notion of symmetry being the foundation of beauty

Such as?

Saying it is not the foundation is not the same as saying it has nothing to do with beauty.

Good to see your point. Symmetry is visual and geometrical. How can symmetry be used to explain the beauty of logic which is abstract without a visual and geometrical form?

[Burning ghost]

ALL humans find more symmetrical faces more attractive. The most beautiful faces tend to be those with a certain "flaw" (slightly asymmetric); that is why beauty spots are so appealing.

This is not merely my opinion. They have studied these things and asked people to rate the beauty of faces. We're primed to be attracted to symmetry, it is considered beautiful.

Another point would be to point out that we don't like to listen to white noise, we like patterns and patterns must have symmetry to be patterned.

[Steve3007]

Great! But why is the law of conservation of energy beautiful ?

Conservation laws (of which conservation of energy is just one example) are examples of symmetry - i.e. a property of a system which is invariant under a transformation.

[Hereandnow]

Steve3007:
Or perhaps because beauty is associated with symmetry and symmetry is associated with minimal energy states. Symmetry is associated with simplicity - being able to describe a relatively large physical system with a relatively small description. Perhaps simplicity is beautiful because it implies order and the brains that recognize beauty are themselves expressions of order. Perhaps we find things beautiful if we recognize them as essential to our own existence.

But then, to actually manifest symmetry and form, it takes structured thought, the exercise of which is a creative act, and this is no minimal energy state. Consider the energy to sculpt Georgia Okeeffe's Cow's Skull, e.g.

[Namelesss]

What is the link between beauty and the law of conservation of energy? It is a philosophical question. Can anyone see it?

There is no link.
'Beauty' is what the eye of Love sees. The Beloved is always Beautiful!
The Law of blah, blah, blah, is a conditional tentative intellectual/egoic theory.

Ultimately, Love is unconditional, transcendental.

Many, due to lack of experience of unconditional Love, confuse 'pretty' with 'beauty'.