Beauty can be consoling, terrifying, sacred, or profane; it can be invigorating, appealing, inspiring, or chilling. It can affect us in a unlimited range of ways. But it is never viewed with indifference.
In this brief introduction, renowned philosopher Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty, asking what makes an object - whether in art, nature, or the human form - beautiful, and examining how we can compare different judgments of beauty when it is evident that our tastes vary so widely. Is there a rightful judgment for beauty? Is it right to say there is more beauty in a classical temple than a modern office building, more in a Rembrandt than in last year's Turner Prize winner?
Direct and provocative, and as accessible as it is intellectually rigorous, this introduction to the philosophy of beauty reaches conclusions that some might find controversial, but, as Scruton shows, they help us find a greater sense of meaning in the beautiful objects that fill our lives.
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Pages: 208, Dimensions: 10.7x10.7cm
