“But isn’t every life, isn’t every work beautiful?”
(Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha)
The endeavor to achieve perfect beauty has always been part of our existence. Everything that we do, say or dream is, in a way or another, connected to the humans’ desire to be part of something beautiful. Either it is related to our physical aspect, or just to the things that surround us, things that are part of our daily life, we have a hidden desire to transform everything according to our beauty standards. It is my purpose to clearly demonstrate in this essay that for humans, what matters most in life is beauty.
First, beauty is not something that the modern world has invented. Beauty has been part of our history since the early beginnings. Reproducing beautiful things has always been a human ideal. A quick look at prehistoric art forms, dating thousands of years B.C., such as the ones found on the walls of several caves in France is just one small proof. One can only wonder why a primitive population, who could barely survive the hardships of Mother Nature, would take the time to draw aspects of daily life on the walls of their dwellings? The only answer we can give is that no matter how far up the evolution ladder humans are, we have always been attracted by beauty.
Second, humans use all the time their imagination, intelligence and intuition to create beautiful lasting works of art. In fact, these works of art are another stance that humanity made and makes in favor of beauty. Hundreds of books have been written about the sculptures of the Ancient World and thousands of people have traveled around the world just to have a glimpse at the vestiges of humans’ endeavor to create beauty. But, it is not only monumental structures that humans have been interested in. Let’s not forget the wonderfully adorned garments produced not long time ago in the Far East, the Middle East, or even in the western world. Let’s not forget great painters such as Van Gogh, Renoir and many others who have tried to paint the beauties they had seen. Humans had and still have the ability of producing masterpieces. The inspiration that drives them into engaging in such a process is beauty.
Third, humans not only that are the source of beautiful things, but they also are in search of beautiful things. When we find beauty we want to keep it and be surrounded by it. What is the reason that drove our forerunners to build the pyramids of Egypt, the palaces of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East? What is the reason for trying to modify nature and shape out the English and French gardens or the Japanese miniaturized trees? It was and it still is done because of our affinity for beautiful things. Because of our desire to live and to experience only what pleases the eye. For the feeling that rushes through our body when we are in the middle of such magnificent things. For the peace that we feel inside ourselves.
Fourth, not only our ancestors were preoccupied with beauty, but also our contemporary world lives its existence for and among beauty. Like thousands of years ago, humans want to associate beautiful things with their life. Why do we all crave for an expensive car to drive to work, a good apartment or house to live in, a famous trade mark accessory to adorn ourselves with? Why do we spend so much time in front of the mirror before going out? Why do we always try to look as good as possible in any situation? It is because of the associations we make between our lifestyle and beauty. All the energy, resources and money that are used every day by all of us stand at the basis of what we might call the beautiful world of ours, the mini-world where we all live and work in.
To sum up, humans have been, are and will be forever interested in beauty. Our life will be just a series of robotic gestures if it hadn’t been for the diversity of things that humans do in order to achieve beauty. We cannot state what perfect beauty is, but we are positive that all of us are looking for it. And maybe, at a point, humanity will become a better place just because all of us will be interested in preserving all the beautiful things that we have inherited, and thus create a new, better world for us and our children.
