The Role of Beauty as an Analogy in Ancient Greek and Chinese Philosophies
Open Access
Author:
Peck, Sarah Marie
Area of Honors:
Philosophy
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Vincent M Colapietro, Thesis Supervisor Vincent M Colapietro, Thesis Honors Advisor Irene Elizabeth Harvey, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Plato Socrates Lao Tzu Confucius Beauty Good Trust Analogy Comparison Philosophy Greek Chinese Aesthetics
Abstract:
Ancient Chinese and Greek philosophies are striking in their differences, but they are more striking in their similarities. One similarity in particular stands out: the use of aesthetic language to describe truth, value and the good life. Why is it that beauty appears to be the analogy of choice when no other analogy goes far enough? This paper seeks to answer that question via a thorough investigation and comparison of early philosophies of both cultures. By using early cultures and limited philosophers, excess influences are minimized to focus on these specific philosophers and the topic at hand. Lao Tzu, Confucius, Socrates, and Plato were chosen as the leaders of their fields, pseudo-contemporaries and emblematic of the cultures they represent. This allows for an examination of the interplay between philosophers and how the aesthetic analogy is developed.