Beauty is a difficult concept which has been debated over for centuries and millennia by artists, musicians, philosophers, and more.  None have come to a definitive and objective answer.  This is because beauty is such a subjective subject.  The best definition which anyone’s put forth to date is the standard quote of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”  However, recent studies have discovered some added insights to what this concept is.

Last time we talked about this subject, we discussed a simple definition of what beauty is.  We used, perhaps, a more objective perspective than some.  If you would like to read up on that, then check out this article here for some introductory information.

Take this definition made by Edmund Burke in 1757.  “Beauty is, for the greater part, some quality in bodies acting mechanical upon the human mind by the intervention of the senses.”  Since this can mean more than just visual input (take music for example), it makes sense to include the other human senses into such a definition.

This new information about beauty and our definitions of it comes out of the field of neurobiology.  Neurobiology is the study of how the brain and nervous system works.  Beauty is directly measured by what our senses convey to our brains.  It becomes quite interesting to see just how the brain interprets such information when presented.

Check out this TED Talk video for more information on how the brain interprets beauty.  I found it fascinating.  I hope that you do as well.

Upon reflection, it makes sense that there’s some neural pathway which would deliver that which we deem “beautiful” to a pleasure center.  Also, that which we deem “ugly” goes to a defensive center of the brain.  It’s quite fascinating to see the active portions of the brain lit up so when experiencing one or the other sensation.

So, what do you think about “beauty” and the brain?  Does it make sense to you too?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.