The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Vol. I, Nos. 1-4, 1867Various
Philosophy
The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Vol. I, Nos. 1-4, 1867
Various
Philosophy -- Periodicals
To recapitulate, physical beauty, viewed in its ground or essence,
consists in the manifestation of the concealed principle, of the force
which is developed in the bosom of matter. This force reveals itself in
a manner more or less perfect, by unity in inert matter, and in living
beings by the different modes of organization.
Hegel then devotes a special examination to the external side, or to
beauty of form in natural objects. Physical beauty, considered
externally, presents itself successively under the aspects of
_regularity_ and _symmetry_, of _conformity_ to law and of _harmony_;
lastly, of _purity_ and simplicity of matter.
1. _Regularity_, which is only the repetition of a form equal to itself,
is the most elementary and simple form. In _symmetry_ there already
appears a diversity which breaks the uniformity. These two forms of
beauty pertain to _quantity_, and constitute mathematical beauty; they
are found in organic and inorganic bodies, minerals and crystals. In
plants are presented less regular, and freer forms. In the organization
of animals, this regular and symmetrical disposition becomes more and
more subordinated in proportion as we ascend to higher degrees of the
animal scale.
2. _Conformity to a law_ marks a degree still more elevated, and serves
as a transition to freer forms. Here there appears an accord more real
and more profound, which begins to transcend mathematical rigor. It is
no longer a simple numerical relation, where quantity plays the
principal rôle; we discover a relation of quality between different
terms. A law rules the whole, but it cannot be calculated; it remains a
hidden bond, which reveals itself to the spectator. Such is the oval
line, and above all, the undulating line, which Hogarth has given as the
line of beauty. These lines determine, in fact, the beautiful forms of
organic nature in living beings of a high order, and, above all, the
beautiful forms of the human body, of man and of woman.
3. _Harmony_ is a degree still superior to the preceding, and it
includes them. It consists in a totality of elements essentially
distinct, but whose opposition is destroyed and reduced to unity by a
secret accord, a reciprocal adaptation. Such is the harmony of forms and
colors, that of sounds and movements, Here the unity is stronger, more
_prononcé_, precisely because the differences and the oppositions are
more marked. Harmony, however, is not as yet true unity, spiritual
unity, that of the soul, although the latter possesses within it a
principle of harmony. Harmony alone, as yet, reveals neither the soul
nor the spirit, as one may see in music and dancing.
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