This post may be a bit meandering but I think we take beauty for granted as some inviolate part of life that we can’t change, when it is clear that just because you are beautiful does not automatically follow that you are also good.

I would agree with the poster that states that Culture often definitely tells us what is and should be beautiful, however I have a difficult time reconciling what many evolutionary psychologists and biologists have theorized that Beauty is indeed gene deep and that despite our very human attempt to erect philosophical systems that encourage us to look beyond the surface of the skin, we are innately or perhaps doomed to fall back on our ancient drives. In a word, those of us who are genetically unattractive are deluding ourselves and we must indeed console ourselves with other non-physical attributes.

To take this a point further, whether or not Plastic Surgeons and other beauty doctors such as Helen Fisher, et al, who may have a vested capitalistic interest of supporting an inescapable standardized notion of beauty, it was demonstrated there is indeed measurable physical characteristics, that go beyond our inability or ability to produce sperms and eggs, which of course, also increases those who are undoubtedly beautiful, their chances of securing a permanent fan base, no matter how old non-reproductive they may become.

Pundits like Fisher would argue that the Beauty Industry, the Stars and Gliterati that we find so entrancing and ultimately unattainable are merely enhancing what we find desirable and beautiful. Hip to waist ratio in what men will naturally gravitate toward is a natural standard. The pheromones of certain males determine whether or not a female will initially find him attractive. Thicker hair, fuller lips and large eyes are will automatic cue for males as to what female would be beautiful and potentially reproductive.

I would also add that it has been uncovered that women with our two X chromosomes are much more complex (we also seem to use more parts of our brain) then our male counterparts due to the Y chromosome’s inability to carry more genetic information than the X. So perhaps, since we are more complex, women have a much more easier time differentiating between the physical, as opposed to Men that have a Pavlov reaction, and other attributes that enhance survival and for our modern times, increased happiness.

I suppose that since we are continually assaulted from our society on what beauty is, how can anyone truly form an independent opinion and stick with it as to what they find personally beautiful. Also if a very attractive person picks an unattractive mate, they are socially stigmatized for not finding something beautiful, something that is more physically appealing.

And so on.....

>Culture teaches us what beauty is.

I think culture articulates and refines a collective sense of what is beautiful every bit as much as it dictates. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to see beauty in the arts of very removed cultures. And yet we usually do see it to a very large extent... or do we see something the culture of origin does not see and ALSO think that it is beautiful? Difficult for me to imagine that happening so much.

Can you identify for me a culture which collectively sees flowers as basically ugly?