Beauty in the eye of the beholder

[thinkandmull]

Hi,

Well when it comes to male perceptions of females, taste varies very much (although it seems to be true that “beauty is in the eye of the bear-holder” as well lol). Does this prove that beauty in nature is in the eye of the beholder? Some men think their woman is the most beautiful in the world, while billions of others totally disagree. If this is true with regard to females, why not in regard to art?

I also wanted to ask whether there are any Church Fathers, Doctors, or saints or quotes from the Bible that say women are more beautiful than men physically. Aquinas said the male body is more noble. But does any Catholic authority say more than “women are beautiful in the eyes of men”? Just interested…

 

[Nelka]

It is.

 

[Bookcat]

Beauty is *not *in the eye of the beholder (unless they have beautiful eyes…) Not per se.

There are objective aspects of beauty and there are subjective aspects in the appreciation of beauty (such as the ability to “see it” personally).

Both are involved.

 

[GEddie]

I though beauty was in the eye of the beast?

 

[joeybaggz]

Hi,

I also wanted to ask whether there are any Church Fathers, Doctors, or saints or quotes from the Bible that say women are more beautiful than men physically. Aquinas said the male body is more noble. But does any Catholic authority say more than “women are beautiful in the eyes of men”? Just interested…

Catholic authorities…? can’t say that I know any. There is however a Talmudic principle that as God created (using 1 and 2 Genesis as a reference) each succeeding creation took on a greater dignity. And the last thing God created - yep, woman. Our “older brothers in faith” as JP II called the Jewish people, have held this as a tenet of faith for centuries.

I offer this thought. The most perfect human being is considered Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the CC. Every woman who chooses motherhood stands with Mary in a real sense. A mother chooses as her ultimate values, life and love, and if I’m not mistaken, life and love is the very essence of God Himself. All mothers are truly beautiful for their choice in joining with God in creating life.

As one poster offered in a previous thread, she (no woman) wants to be defined by her uterus. And I agree. Woman have many and varied talents that should be appreciated. But those who choose motherhood, choose to be beautiful. To the eyes, maybe, to the very heart of God, yes.

My :twocents:

 

[steve93]

Catholic authorities…? can’t say that I know any. There is however a Talmudic principle that as God created (using 1 and 2 Genesis as a reference) each succeeding creation took on a greater dignity. And the last thing God created - yep, woman. Our “older brothers in faith” as JP II called the Jewish people, have held this as a tenet of faith for centuries.

I offer this thought. The most perfect human being is considered Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the CC. Every woman who chooses motherhood stands with Mary in a real sense. A mother chooses as her ultimate values, life and love, and if I’m not mistaken, life and love is the very essence of God Himself. All mothers are truly beautiful for their choice in joining with God in creating life.

As one poster offered in a previous thread, she (no woman) wants to be defined by her uterus. And I agree. Woman have many and varied talents that should be appreciated. But those who choose motherhood, choose to be beautiful. To the eyes, maybe, to the very heart of God, yes.

My :twocents:

Of course to say that the purpose of (most) women is to have children is not to mean that their only purpose. On the same token, it could be said that the purpose of men is to father children and labor. Obviously not to say that they have no other purpose- moral, social, spiritual, mental, etc.