Magnus Anderson wrote:Beauty is a measure of how desirable a person is as a spouse based on how they look. So of course it is objective. Shifting tastes prove nothing just like how shifting opinions prove nothing.
iambiguous wrote:And of course this applies to morality too.
Right?
Clearly, there are biological elements embedded in how human beings react to the "looks" of others. Certain features seem more appealing than others. Both historically and cross culturally.
Again, the mentality of someone like Magnus seems to reflect with I call the "psychology of objectivism". They have come to invest "I" in a particular set of assumptions about beauty and what becomes most critical for them is not whose assumptions about beauty is correct but that there is only one set of assumptions that is correct.
Their own.
iambiguous wrote:Clearly, there are biological elements embedded in how human beings react to the "looks" of others. Certain features seem more appealing than others. Both historically and cross culturally.
Magnus Anderson wrote:That's correct. But also, certain relation exists between the set of all looks and the set of all physical and psychological traits (courage, strength, agility, intelligence, health, compassion, etc.) When a look is more frequently associated with desirable than undesirable physical and psychological traits, and when it is so more than other looks, we say it is an objectively better look than those other looks. That's what beauty in the objective sense of the word refers to.
Again, the mentality of someone like Magnus seems to reflect with I call the "psychology of objectivism". They have come to invest "I" in a particular set of assumptions about beauty and what becomes most critical for them is not whose assumptions about beauty is correct but that there is only one set of assumptions that is correct.
Their own.
Magnus Anderson wrote:You're accusing me of being a dogmatist i.e. that I'm unwilling to introduce the possibility that I am wrong and to change my position in face of new evidence. But this thread isn't about me -- don't make it about me.
Magnus Anderson wrote:If you want, you can start a new thread elsewhere -- not sure exactly where -- that is titled something like "Is Magnus Anderson a dogmatist?". You'd be welcome to present an argument in favor of your position but don't do it here.
iambiguous wrote:But you speak of objectivity here as though we could hand the discussion and debate over to mathematicians and biologists and chemists and physicists and ask them to settle it once and for all.
As though if you showed them a hundred human faces and a hundred human bodies and a hundred works of art they could calculate with any degree of precision which were the most beautiful and which were the least beautiful
Meanwhile leaving out entirely the point I raise about how much more problematic it all becomes in regard to individuals living out in very different worlds historically and culturally and experientially.
Come on, what I make all discussions in regard to aesthetics and morality and politics revolve around is the distinction I make between those who insist that their own standards and values reflect the objective truth and those who recognize the extent to which such judgments are rooted existentially, subjectively in dasein.
Again, the mentality of someone like Magnus seems to reflect with I call the "psychology of objectivism". They have come to invest "I" in a particular set of assumptions about beauty and what becomes most critical for them is not whose assumptions about beauty is correct but that there is only one set of assumptions that is correct.
Their own.
So, in regard to your assertions about beauty above you either are or are not a dogmatist. Then the question becomes the extent to which in your interactions with others you become an authoritarian as well. If you were in a position of power, would you tolerate opposing views on beauty...or would others have to accept your own criterion.
Be honest.
If you are serious I would be more than willing to start one. Just say the word. Or start it yourself.
Magnus Anderson wrote:iambiguous wrote:But you speak of objectivity here as though we could hand the discussion and debate over to mathematicians and biologists and chemists and physicists and ask them to settle it once and for all.
I do think that we can hand the subject to mathematicians, biologists, chemists and physicists (though I think we should actually hand it to mathematicians, biologists and psychologists) and ask them to use their expertise and tools to arrive at a scientific opinion.
Meanwhile leaving out entirely the point I raise about how much more problematic it all becomes in regard to individuals living out in very different worlds historically and culturally and experientially.
Magnus Anderson wrote: Perhaps because it's irrelevant?
Come on, what I make all discussions in regard to aesthetics and morality and politics revolve around is the distinction I make between those who insist that their own standards and values reflect the objective truth and those who recognize the extent to which such judgments are rooted existentially, subjectively in dasein.
Magnus Anderson wrote: The two aren't mutually exclusive. How you arrived at your beliefs is one thing and whether those beliefs are true (i.e. correspond to reality) is another thing.
Again, the mentality of someone like Magnus seems to reflect with I call the "psychology of objectivism". They have come to invest "I" in a particular set of assumptions about beauty and what becomes most critical for them is not whose assumptions about beauty is correct but that there is only one set of assumptions that is correct.
Their own.
Magnus Anderson wrote: Opposing beliefs cannot be all true. Only one of them can. It's logically impossible for two opposing beliefs to be both true.
If you are serious I would be more than willing to start one. Just say the word. Or start it yourself.
Magnus Anderson wrote: You don't need my permission.
iambiguous wrote:And then of course how far you are willing to extend this assumption:
For example, Jane and Joan both had abortions. That's not just someone's personal opinion. It is in fact demonstrably true.
So, let's gather our "mathematicians, biologists and psychologists" and have them pin down which of the two women is the most beautiful. Next they will tell us whether these abortions were moral or immoral. Some believe they are moral, others immoral. But it's logical impossible for both beliefs to be true.
Yes, even in the world of beauty and ethics only one belief can in fact be true. So, sure, why not yours, right?
iambiguous wrote:Nope, after reading your points above, it wouldn't be worth my time. You strike me as an Ayn Rand Objectivist. And almost all of them take their imperious, "metaphysical" aesthetic and moral truths with them to the grave.
Magnus Anderson wrote:iambiguous wrote:And then of course how far you are willing to extend this assumption:
For example, Jane and Joan both had abortions. That's not just someone's personal opinion. It is in fact demonstrably true.
So, let's gather our "mathematicians, biologists and psychologists" and have them pin down which of the two women is the most beautiful. Next they will tell us whether these abortions were moral or immoral. Some believe they are moral, others immoral. But it's logical impossible for both beliefs to be true.
Are you sure this isn't off-topic? Because I am sure it is. This thread has nothing to do with morality. You keep trying to hijack other people's threads whenever opportunity arises.
Magnus Anderson wrote: And note that my initial post said nothing about what is truly beautiful and whether it is possible at all for humans to discover what is truly beautiful.
Yes, even in the world of beauty and ethics only one belief can in fact be true. So, sure, why not yours, right?
Magnus Anderson wrote: You're putting words in my mouth. I merely said that two opposing beliefs cannot be both true. Only one of them can. So it does not have to be mine. It can be yours. But it's also possible that neither is true.
obsrvr524 wrote:I think Mr Anderson has it right.
Magnus Anderson wrote:iambiguous wrote:Nope, after reading your points above, it wouldn't be worth my time. You strike me as an Ayn Rand Objectivist. And almost all of them take their imperious, "metaphysical" aesthetic and moral truths with them to the grave.
Right, so you asked for a debate. But I didn't suggest a debate. I suggested that you start a thread where you'd be discussing subjects (such as "The Psychology of Magnus Anderson") you're discussing in places where they shouldn't be discussed (such as a thread about beauty.) I said nothing about my willingness to participate in such a thread. The entire point was that you're being off-topic and that you should move your off-topic posts elsewhere.
And note that it is not me who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Rather, it is you who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Therefore, the burden of proof is on you.
1] For one reason or another [rooted largely in dasein], you are taught or come into contact with [through your upbringing, a friend, a book, an experience etc.] a worldview, a philosophy of life in regard to beauty.
2] Over time, you become convinced that this perspective on beauty expresses and encompasses the most rational and objective truth. This truth then becomes increasingly more vital, more essential to you as a foundation, a justification, a celebration of all that is moral as opposed to immoral, rational as opposed to irrational.
3] Eventually, for some, they begin to bump into others who feel the same way about beauty; they may even begin to actively seek out folks similarly inclined to view the world in a particular way.
4] Some begin to share this philosophy of beauty with family, friends, colleagues, associates, Internet denizens; increasingly it becomes more and more a part of their life. It becomes, in other words, more intertwined in their personal relationships with others...it begins to bind them emotionally and psychologically.
5] As yet more time passes, they start to feel increasingly compelled not only to share their Truth about beauty with others but, in turn, to vigorously defend it against any and all detractors as well.
6] For some, it can reach the point where they are no longer able to realistically construe an argument that disputes their own views about beauty as merely a difference of opinion; they see it instead as, for all intents and purposes, an attack on their intellectual integrity....on their very Self.
7] Finally, a stage is reached [again for some] where the original philosophical quest for truth, for wisdom about beauty has become so profoundly integrated into their self-identity [professionally, socially, psychologically, emotionally] defending it has less and less to do with philosophy at all. And certainly less and less to do with "logic".
iambiguous wrote:Magnus Anderson wrote:iambiguous wrote:Nope, after reading your points above, it wouldn't be worth my time. You strike me as an Ayn Rand Objectivist. And almost all of them take their imperious, "metaphysical" aesthetic and moral truths with them to the grave.
Right, so you asked for a debate. But I didn't suggest a debate. I suggested that you start a thread where you'd be discussing subjects (such as "The Psychology of Magnus Anderson") you're discussing in places where they shouldn't be discussed (such as a thread about beauty.) I said nothing about my willingness to participate in such a thread. The entire point was that you're being off-topic and that you should move your off-topic posts elsewhere.
And note that it is not me who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Rather, it is you who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Therefore, the burden of proof is on you.
Okay, let's start here...
obsrvr524 wrote:
Right, so you asked for a debate. But I didn't suggest a debate. I suggested that you start a thread where you'd be discussing subjects (such as "The Psychology of Magnus Anderson") you're discussing in places where they shouldn't be discussed (such as a thread about beauty.) I said nothing about my willingness to participate in such a thread. The entire point was that you're being off-topic and that you should move your off-topic posts elsewhere.
And note that it is not me who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Rather, it is you who said "Magnus Anderson is a dogmatist!" Therefore, the burden of proof is on you.
Okay, let's start here...
obsrvr524 wrote:No - not HERE. He said start your own thread for that.
And if he doesn't want to defend his "psychology" in that OTHER THREAD, I will take on that role for him.
Peter Kropotkin wrote:K: I believe that the ancient Greeks did in fact connect Beauty with Morality..
so it is indeed possible to connect beauty with Morality as the Athenians did....
but more to the point, why not try to connect beauty to morality?
I don't see any downside to at least try to connect them.....
Peter Kropotkin wrote:I remember reading about a court case a few years ago, where
the woman in question, I believe it was a teacher-student sex thing...
anyway, literally she stood up in court and said, I am too beautiful
to go to jail and they acquitted her..... based on that one sentence...
Kropotkin
iambiguous wrote:I will let you start the new thread and choose the context in which to explore the "psychology of objectivism".
obsrvr524 wrote:iambiguous wrote:I will let you start the new thread and choose the context in which to explore the "psychology of objectivism".
So you want ME to go start a thread on a different subject - always, as he said - trying to divert and change the topic to your own obsessions.
iambiguous wrote:my main aim would be to make a complete fool out of you. Or, rather, to continue to.
iambiguous wrote:So, sure, role the dice, start the thread, and we'll let the others here decide.
Karpel Tunnel wrote:An interesting issue is whether animals appreciate beauty and it seems they do. Darwin thought so. After a while it was considered a code for health, etc. But now animal appreciation of beauty is making a comeback in the scientific community.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/maga ... nimal.html
obsrvr524 wrote:iambiguous wrote:my main aim would be to make a complete fool out of you. Or, rather, to continue to.
You have only been making a fool of yourself. You believing otherwise is further evidence of it.
Karpel Tunnel wrote:An interesting issue is whether animals appreciate beauty and it seems they do. Darwin thought so. After a while it was considered a code for health, etc. But now animal appreciation of beauty is making a comeback in the scientific community.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/maga ... nimal.html
iambiguous wrote:Sure, that's one way to actually avoid addressing the point that I am making here.
Okay, then in regard to those 100 human faces, 100 human bodies and 100 works of art, what are you saying? If different people have different personal opinions regarding beauty, what criteria would be used to establish what is "truly beautiful"?
Observer wrote:No - not HERE. He said start your own thread for that.
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