Beauty, whether objective, subjective or relative, is all about Selection! What we like, whom we wanna mate with, what we wanna eat, where we wanna live, how we wanna project ourselves, etc. are all abstractly defined by this perception.
In a way beauty is an interesting amalgam of symmetry, consistency, variety and a slew of other contextual features that help us choose the best almost instinctively.
Symmetry symbolizes genetic health / structural strength. We hardly cherish asymmetric faces and objects. Consistency can also be seen to work in the same context. Inconsistent color for objects, skin tone, etc. infer a poor genetic / systemic health and viability.
On the other hand variety is an interesting facet of beauty and encourages diversity! We are drawn to faces that are slightly different from those of our herd/group and this behavior can be seen as an impetus to prevent inbreeding and encourage genetic diversity.
Finally, there are special features we associate with beauty in specific contexts. Women with large breasts (nursing capability), slender waist (unlikely to be pregnant), etc. and men with a muscular body (ability to defend and provide), sharp chin (testosterone levels and fertility), etc. are desirable for the above mentioned reasons and these affinities could have been acquired through natural selection.
In a way beauty is an interesting amalgam of symmetry, consistency, variety and a slew of other contextual features that help us choose the best almost instinctively.
Symmetry symbolizes genetic health / structural strength. We hardly cherish asymmetric faces and objects. Consistency can also be seen to work in the same context. Inconsistent color for objects, skin tone, etc. infer a poor genetic / systemic health and viability.
On the other hand variety is an interesting facet of beauty and encourages diversity! We are drawn to faces that are slightly different from those of our herd/group and this behavior can be seen as an impetus to prevent inbreeding and encourage genetic diversity.
Finally, there are special features we associate with beauty in specific contexts. Women with large breasts (nursing capability), slender waist (unlikely to be pregnant), etc. and men with a muscular body (ability to defend and provide), sharp chin (testosterone levels and fertility), etc. are desirable for the above mentioned reasons and these affinities could have been acquired through natural selection.
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@Praveen- What are your thoughts of those of our species that seem to be attracted to the same qualities as their mother in a mate? I find that a lot of my friends end up with women who have the same qualities that their mothers exhibit, (and they love to complain about their mothers), which would seem to me to be almost self sabotage, but perhaps thats just pure conjecture on my part.
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@Nicholas - Our parents serve as role models for many of us and we always look up to them. We also learn a lot from them and imitate them in many situations. Going further we get our first impression and definition of the opposite sex from the respective parent. So I believe its natural for us to desire a spouse with the same mannerisms as the respective parent as that individual has loved and cared for us like no other in this world. Evolutionary angle? I cant think of any! @Cadell! thoughts?
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@Praveen- Thats comforting as it suggests it would be far easier to overcome on a psychological standpoint than on a genetic one!
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