Philosophy: the ugly truth?

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Truth itself is Beauty itself since both are transcendental attributes of Being.

A particular thing that is true may seem ugly, but it seems ugly only insofar as we do not know the whole truth about the thing. For example, I may learn that a horrible act of violence has occurred. The truth of the fact of this action’s occurrence seems ugly to me. If I knew, however, the full truth of the transcendent Goodness of God even to the point of bringing greater good out of great evil, if I knew the ultimate triumph of Good over evil, then it would seem beautiful to me that God had permitted this to happen because of the good of free will and many other goods which are not known to me.

Christ is the Truth himself, as we know. Scripture also tells us that in him “there was nothing to attract our eyes.” The ostensible lack of beauty in Christ is a defect in those observing him, those who do not recognize that he is the Truth, not a defect in Christ.

The beauty of things consists in their relationship to God, who is Beauty itself. It is an objective quality, but it can be recognized subjectively to greater or lesser degrees depending on the subject’s own capacity.
 
dylanschrader said:
Truth itself is Beauty itself since both are transcendental attributes of Being.

A particular thing that is true may seem ugly, but it seems ugly only insofar as we do not know the whole truth about the thing. For example, I may learn that a horrible act of violence has occurred. The truth of the fact of this action’s occurrence seems ugly to me. If I knew, however, the full truth of the transcendent Goodness of God even to the point of bringing greater good out of great evil, if I knew the ultimate triumph of Good over evil, then it would seem beautiful to me that God had permitted this to happen because of the good of free will and many other goods which are not known to me.

Christ is the Truth himself, as we know. Scripture also tells us that in him “there was nothing to attract our eyes.” The ostensible lack of beauty in Christ is a defect in those observing him, those who do not recognize that he is the Truth, not a defect in Christ.

The beauty of things consists in their relationship to God, who is Beauty itself. It is an objective quality, but it can be recognized subjectively to greater or lesser degrees depending on the subject’s own capacity.
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Good reply. Hand that man a cigar.

Beauty is in God.

Here’s Aquinas (Article 2) newadvent.org/summa/3145.htm
 
Ani_Ibi said:
Can truth be ugly?
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Firstly, I have to answer the poll that:

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is an absolute.”

…which is not an option, so I couldn’t check any of the selections.

Secondly, Truth can be “terrible” in a negative way, as perceived by the “I”, but it is never really ugly.

If a creature has an “Eye” (perception of reality), then that creature has an “I”, which was created by God, which contains a conscience which contains the “template(s)” of beauty from which the recognition of beauty come in comparison.

To see “beauty” in contrast to real beauty (truth) is a sin.

To see “ugly” in real beauty (truth) is a sin.

Truth seen as “terrible (ugly)” should “break” you, in contrition, and open you to God.

Truth seen as “beauty” should also break you, in gratitude, and open you to God.

Mahalo ke Akua…!
E pili mau na pomaikai ia oe. Aloha nui.
 
Keikiolu said:
Firstly, I have to answer the poll that: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is an absolute.” …which is not an option, so I couldn’t check any of the selections.

You could have selected: “partly in the eye of the beholder? (please say where else)” And bonus: you still can! Yay!

:extrahappy:

Thank you for the other insights, especially the ‘breaking’. The ‘breaking’ was interesting.
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OK. Let’s see if these questions get us further along:

To what extent does the ugliness in ourselves determine what ugliness we see out there?

Similarly to what extent does the beauty in ourselves determine what beauty we see out there?

Let’s go deeper: how do we define the ugliness in ourselves? How do we define the beauty in ourselves?

Just to get this on the table: I am reminded of the Christian commandments to Love God, to love our neighbour as ourselves, and to love our enemies.

Again, as we love ourselves. How much of our experience of love toward ourselves has determined how we love ourselves and therefore how we love others?

RD Laing said that some of the greatest crimes in history have been committed in the name of love.

I am thus reminded of the part in the Our Father which says: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those of others.”

As we forgive.

How does forgiveness and love affect our ability to see beauty and ugliness in ourselves and ‘out there’?
 
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