The Absurdity of Beauty Standards : Chasing an Ever-Changing Ideal
As I reflect on the constructs of beauty — those transient ideals that have captivated humanity across epochs — I find myself entrenched in a paradox. Beauty, that ethereal and seemingly universal concept, feels both intimate and alien. It permeates every corner of our lives, from art and literature to the algorithms that dictate social media feeds. And yet, the standards we use to define beauty are fleeting, fluid, and deeply absurd.
The absurdity lies not in beauty itself but in our unyielding pursuit of an ideal that shifts with time, culture, and circumstance. Why, then, do we continue to chase an ever-changing mirage? Let’s delve in ..
The Evolutionary Roots of Aesthetic Preference
At its core, the concept of beauty has roots in evolution. Symmetry, for instance, has long been regarded as a hallmark of beauty. Evolutionary biologists suggest that symmetrical features signal genetic fitness, health, and reproductive viability. Similarly, certain physical traits, such as clear skin or a particular waist-to-hip ratio, have been linked to perceptions of health and fertility.
Yet, even these supposedly universal markers are subject to cultural overlays. Consider the stark contrast between Rubens’ voluptuous figures, celebrated during the Baroque period, and today’s obsession with slender physiques. The preferences that drive mate selection, while grounded in biology, are mediated by societal narratives that reshape what we deem desirable.
Why does symmetry appeal to us beyond biological explanations? Beyond its evolutionary roots, symmetry mirrors the natural patterns found in the universe, from the spiral galaxies to the structure of snowflakes. It represents order amidst chaos, satisfying our deep-seated craving for predictability and stability in a turbulent world. Philosophically, symmetry evokes a sense of harmony, reflecting ideals of perfection and balance. This resonance connects it not just to physical beauty but to metaphysical concepts of coherence and wholeness.
The evolution of beauty standards, therefore, is not merely a biological story but a cultural one. It is here that the absurdity begins to unfold. We, as a species, have layered subjective meaning atop evolutionary signals, creating a tapestry of beauty that is as diverse as it is inconsistent.
The Philosophical Quandary of Beauty
Philosophers have long grappled with the nature of beauty. Plato, in his theory of forms, posited that beauty is an eternal and immutable ideal. To him, earthly manifestations of beauty were mere reflections of a perfect, abstract form. Yet, if Plato’s ideal were universal, how could it account for the vast array of beauty standards that have emerged across cultures and time periods?
Kant, on the other hand, argued that beauty resides in the interplay between subjectivity and universality. For Kant, beauty is not an inherent property of an object but a judgment made by the observer — a judgment that strives for universal assent. This duality — the subjective experience of beauty and the quest for collective agreement — highlights the tension at the heart of our aesthetic pursuits. It is a tension that modern society has exacerbated, turning beauty into a commodity.
How does this duality — beauty being both intimate and alien — shape our engagement with beauty standards? It forces us into a complex dance between personal authenticity and societal validation. Beauty feels intimate because it resonates with our individual preferences and emotions. Yet, it becomes alien when external forces dictate what should be valued, creating a dissonance that drives our relentless pursuit of ever-shifting ideals. This tension underpins the absurdity of beauty standards, revealing them as both deeply personal and profoundly manipulative.
Beauty as a Cultural Construct
If beauty were universal, how could we explain the shifting sands of aesthetic ideals? In ancient Greece, the muscular, athletic male body symbolized beauty and virtue. Fast forward to the Renaissance, and we encounter the soft, rounded figures immortalized in the works of Botticelli and Michelangelo. The 20th century brought the boyish flapper aesthetic of the 1920s, followed by the voluptuous curves of Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s. Today, beauty standards are dictated by Instagram influencers and Photoshop perfection, blending digital manipulation with unattainable physical ideals.
These transformations are not merely aesthetic trends; they are reflections of societal values, power dynamics, and economic structures. During times of abundance, societies have often idealized fuller figures as symbols of wealth and fertility. Conversely, in eras marked by scarcity or industrialization, slenderness became a sign of discipline and modernity.
How do fleeting beauty ideals mirror human existential struggles? They reflect our broader grappling with impermanence and the human condition. Just as beauty standards evolve, so too do our values, beliefs, and identities. The relentless pursuit of a shifting ideal mirrors the absurdity of our quest for meaning in a transient world. Like beauty, purpose and fulfillment often feel just out of reach, revealing the futility and yet the poignancy of our struggles.
This fluidity underscores the absurdity of our pursuit. How can we rationally chase a standard that is as ephemeral as fashion? Moreover, these shifting ideals reveal a deeper truth: beauty standards are less about aesthetics and more about control. They dictate who belongs and who is excluded, who is celebrated and who is marginalized.
The Role of Media and Capitalism
In the modern era, media and capitalism have amplified the absurdity of beauty standards. Advertising, fashion, and entertainment industries have a vested interest in promoting unattainable ideals. After all, insecurity drives consumption. The promise of beauty — encapsulated in products, diets, and surgeries — fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Social media has further compounded this issue, creating an echo chamber of aesthetic ideals. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok algorithmically reward certain types of beauty, perpetuating a narrow definition of desirability. The result is a homogenization of beauty standards, where cultural diversity is often overshadowed by globalized, Western-centric ideals.
Yet, even as these platforms create new icons of beauty, they also expose their fragility. Filters, editing apps, and curated feeds reveal the constructed nature of these ideals, highlighting the absurdity of measuring self-worth against an artificial standard. In chasing these ideals, we are not pursuing beauty itself but a simulacrum — a copy without an original.
The Psychological Toll
The relentless pursuit of beauty takes a profound psychological toll. Studies have shown that exposure to unrealistic beauty standards is linked to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. These effects are not limited to women; men, too, face increasing pressure to conform to ideals of muscularity and strength.
What makes this pursuit particularly insidious is its Sisyphean nature. No matter how much effort one expends, the ideal remains out of reach. Like Sisyphus pushing his boulder uphill, we are condemned to an endless cycle of striving and falling short. The absurdity of this struggle lies in its futility. We chase a standard that is inherently unattainable, yet we cannot seem to abandon the chase.
Towards a Philosophy of Aesthetic Liberation
If beauty standards are absurd, what is the alternative? How can we navigate a world that constantly bombards us with conflicting messages about what we should look like? I propose a philosophy of aesthetic liberation — a shift from external validation to internal appreciation.
First, we must recognize the fluidity of beauty. By understanding its historical and cultural contingencies, we can begin to detach from its tyrannical hold. Beauty, like art, is subjective and multifaceted. What one society deems beautiful, another may dismiss. This relativism is not a weakness but a strength. It allows us to celebrate diversity and reject homogenization.
Second, we must cultivate a deeper appreciation for authenticity. True beauty lies not in conformity to a standard but in the unique expressions of individuality. This perspective aligns with existentialist thought, which emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the face of societal pressures. By embracing our imperfections and quirks, we reclaim the power that beauty standards have stolen from us.
Finally, we must challenge the systems that perpetuate these ideals. This requires not only personal reflection but collective action. Media literacy, for instance, can equip individuals to critically analyze the messages they consume. Advocacy for diverse representation in media and fashion can help dismantle the narrow frameworks of beauty that dominate our culture.
Conclusion
The absurdity of beauty standards lies in their ever-changing nature and their capacity to dictate our desires and self-perceptions. They are a mirror reflecting the fluidity of human values and the contradictions of our collective psyche. By chasing these ideals, we are not merely pursuing an aesthetic; we are engaging in a profound act of existential folly.
Yet, within this absurdity lies an opportunity. By rejecting the pursuit of an unattainable ideal, we can liberate ourselves from the tyranny of external validation. We can learn to see beauty not as a standard to be met but as a celebration of diversity, individuality, and authenticity. In doing so, we affirm our humanity and reclaim our sense of self in a world obsessed with appearances.
Thanks for dropping by !
Disclaimer : Everything written above, I owe to the great minds I’ve encountered and the voices I’ve heard along the way.