We’ve all heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do you agree? is all beauty contingent on a subjective point of view?

I think that it probably is. No two people see anything exactly the same way. I find many things in nature beautiful, scenery, plants, and many living creatures. I find a lot of our built landscape beautiful too but by no means all of it. For example I strongly dislike a lot of modern architecture. Here are a couple of examples:

I am sure that many people would say they are stunning examples of modern architecture. The SAHMRI Building is listed as one of the 7 Wonders of Adelaide. I agree with my sister that it looks like a kitchen scourer. I have to admit that I hate this building all the more because my old workplace, the Adelaide Railcar Depot was demolished to make way for it but I would hate it wherever in the world it was because to me it is just plain ugly. On the other hand I like the Sydney Opera House although at forty years old perhaps it’s not that modern any more.

As far as the human form is concerned I think beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. Western culture celebrates certain physical features and body types especially in the media. But what we are told to believe is beautiful is not attractive at all to many people. Anorexic looking female models and muscle-bound men are the ideals of some but not all of us. Other cultures and people throughout history have other ideas of beauty some of which look hideous to us. Piercings, tattoos, body builders muscular, shiny bodies and the tight faces of people who have had cosmetic surgery are all features that I personally don’t find attractive but that’s just my opinion and others have a right to theirs.

It is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when we behold someone or something that we love. However another old saying that we should keep in mind is “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”