Aesthetic Arguments of Beauty and the Appeal of Christianity

[2PhiloVoid]

In sum, "The argument from beauty (also the aesthetic argument) is an argument for the existence of a realm of immaterial ideas or, most commonly, for the existence of God."

But, despite that, here's My Own Aesthetic Argument for the Beauty of Christianity (and granted it is "Subjective," in a Kierkegaardian/Pascalian sense ... which tends to imply that my 'justification' is more internal rather than overtly external in nature ... )

1. I am attracted to, and value, concepts which I find to be beautiful or aesthetically pleasing.
   
   
2. After looking through the teachings of many World Belief Systems/Worldviews, I find New Testament Christianity and its interior concepts to hold the 'most' aesthetic appeal, or beauty; i.e. Christianity attracts me more than do other forms of theism, political ideology, humanism, or even nihilistic atheism.
   
   
3. Therefore, I am attracted to New Testament Christianity (to the entity of Jesus the Christ, specifically) and I "feel" its value over and above other concepts; conversely, I tend to eschew other Belief Systems/Worldviews as being lesser in their comparative aesthetic appeal and of less value to me existentially.

In fact, the 'emotions' I feel in my attraction to Christianity can be summed up in what seems to me to be the aural and visual beauty of the music in the following (wonderful) song by Josh Garrels – Words Remains [Epipheo Remix]. This is how Christ and His Love [for us] makes me … “FEEL!!!” ....despite our sins that we need to throw away from our lives, despite our confusions which we need to work through, and despite our despondency that often interferes with our attempts to reach out to .... HIM................!

Have a Happy Easter!


********************************************

For further reading on various other ways in which applications of Aesthetic Arguments from beauty can be made, see the links below:

The Aesthetic Argument for the Existence of God

Arguments from Beauty and Aesthetics - Christian Apologetics Alliance

Several Aesthetic Arguments in Support of God

Dawkins's Aesthetic Argument for Evolution | Thinking Christian

 

[Chesterton]

I've heard atheists try to explain beauty with evolutionary psychology and it always seems to fall short. And when it comes to music in particular, it falls way short.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've heard atheists try to explain beauty with evolutionary psychology and it always seems to fall short. And when it comes to music in particular, it falls way short.

If you want, feel free to cite and/or quote one of the explanations given by evolutionary psychology so we can evaluate it together ...

That was an interesting song choice by the way, and I hadn't heard that one by Costello before. I'll have to look closer at the lyrics [here].

 

[Chesterton]

If you want, feel free to cite and/or quote one of the explanations given by evolutionary psychology so we can evaluate it together ...

Oh I don't know off-hand, just stuff I've read over the years. An example I remember is saying we find sunsets beautiful because the sun is the source of agriculture and all life on Earth, yada yada. But rain is equally important and I don't find big, dark rain clouds beautiful. I read a guy say that men find female breasts beautiful because they also are a source of life in infancy, but he must have forgotten that baby girls breastfeed too.

That was an interesting song choice by the way, and I hadn't heard that one by Costello before. I'll have to look closer at the lyrics [here].

Well, the lyrics aren't exactly on point I guess, but the title of the song is, lol. Just the idea that beauty doesn't serve a purpose, i.e., is useless.

 

[gaara4158]

This looks like a candid explanation of why you tend toward some ideas over others with no comment as to whether or not they’re true. I’ve never seen this argument actually run before, so maybe there’s a part of it I’m missing, but this doesn’t appear to be an argument for Christianity but rather an argument for the psychological benefits of belief.

Edit: looking again, that’s how you intended it. Will be checking out the links when I get a chance.

 

[ananda]

In sum, "The argument from beauty (also the aesthetic argument) is an argument for the existence of a realm of immaterial ideas or, most commonly, for the existence of God."

But, despite that, here's My Own Aesthetic Argument for the Beauty of Christianity (and granted it is "Subjective," in a Kierkegaardian/Pascalian sense ... )

1. I am attracted to concepts which I find to be beautiful or aesthetically pleasing.
   
   
2. After looking through the concepts of World Belief Systems/Worldviews, I find Christianity and its interior concepts to hold the 'most' aesthetic appeal, or beauty; i.e. Christianity attracts me more than do other forms of theism or even atheism.
   
   
3. Therefore, I am most attracted to Christianity (the entity of Jesus, specifically), and I tend to eschew other Belief Systems/Worldviews as being lesser in their aesthetic appeal.

In fact, the 'emotions' I feel in my attraction to Christianity can be summed up in what seems to me to be the aural and visual beauty of the music in the following (wonderful) song by Josh Garrels – Words Remains. This is how Christ and His Love for us makes me … “FEEL!!!”:

Have a Happy Easter!


********************************************

For further reading on various other ways in which applications of Aesthetic Arguments from beauty can be made, see the links below:

The Aesthetic Argument for the Existence of God

Arguments from Beauty and Aesthetics - Christian Apologetics Alliance

Several Aesthetic Arguments in Support of God

Dawkins's Aesthetic Argument for Evolution | Thinking Christian

I've heard similar arguments for other religions. For example, Buddhism:

"... it has a coherence and logic that are beautiful in themselves - the beauty one finds in mathematics or in the majestic inevitability of a Bach fuge. One feels that this truly is the law that folds the stars in their courses, that it presents things as they really are and that nothing in it could possibly be otherwise than as it is." - Anagarika Sugatananda (Francis Story)​

 

[2PhiloVoid]

This looks like a candid explanation of why you tend toward some ideas over others with no comment as to whether or not they’re true. I’ve never seen this argument actually run before, so maybe there’s a part of it I’m missing, but this doesn’t appear to be an argument for Christianity but rather an argument for the psychological benefits of belief.

Edit: looking again, that’s how you intended it. Will be checking out the links when I get a chance.

Yes, there's more there than meets the eye, semantic caveats that are nicely tucked in that anyone who looks at it fully, whether as protagonist or antagonist, would have to unpack and circumnavigate ...

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've heard similar arguments for other religions. For example, Buddhism:

"... it has a coherence and logic that are beautiful in themselves - the beauty one finds in mathematics or in the majestic inevitability of a Bach fuge. One feels that this truly is the law that folds the stars in their courses, that it presents things as they really are and that nothing in it could possibly be otherwise than as it is." - Anagarika Sugatananda (Francis Story)​

Yes, but .... THEN you as an explorer of those claims have to do the real work of not only delving into the actual 'supports' that may be as yet undeclared, you also will need to fully compare (as best as one can) these with many, if not most, of the other more significant competing views ...

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't think Philo is saying he believes merely because it's psychologically comforting.

Personally, I think Rudolf Otto's approach in The Idea of the Holy is worth looking into, as it roots Christianity in fundamental spiritual intuitions, what he calls the Numinous. Perception of the Numinous, or what some call the Sacred now days, is more fundamental than beauty or morality.

 

[ananda]

Yes, but .... THEN you as an explorer of those claims have to do the real work of not only delving into the actual 'supports' that may be as yet undeclared, you also will need to fully compare (as best as one can) these with many, if not most, of the other more significant competing views ...

True, and I have over the past few years, and I tend to agree with Sugatananda.

 

[FireDragon76]

I've heard similar arguments for other religions. For example, Buddhism:

"... it has a coherence and logic that are beautiful in themselves - the beauty one finds in mathematics or in the majestic inevitability of a Bach fuge. One feels that this truly is the law that folds the stars in their courses, that it presents things as they really are and that nothing in it could possibly be otherwise than as it is." - Anagarika Sugatananda (Francis Story)​

The beauty in Bach wasn't inspired by Buddhism, however.

 

[ananda]

The beauty in Bach wasn't inspired by Buddhism, however.

He could've been. It depends on how you interpret history.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

True, and I have over the past few years, and I tend to agree with Sugatananda.

And what little Jewel of wisdom did he leave for us that you feel is worthy of our attention in this aesthetic discussion?

 

[ananda]

And what little Jewel of wisdom did he leave for us that you feel is worthy of our attention in this aesthetic discussion?

I gave his quote about the beauty he saw in Buddhism. Did you have something else in mind?

 

[FireDragon76]

He could've been. It depends on how you interpret history.

Last time I checked, Bach was a Lutheran, not a Buddhist.

 

[ananda]

Last time I checked, Bach was a Lutheran, not a Buddhist.

I meant, there are some who believe Jesus was inspired by Buddhism.

 

[FireDragon76]

I meant, there are some who believe Jesus was inspired by Buddhism.

That's pretty far-out in terms of mainstream historians. Most would see Jesus as being within the Jewish prophetic tradition.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I gave his quote about the beauty he saw in Buddhism. Did you have something else in mind?

Ok. Yes, I 'get' what you're saying now. Thanks for clarifying the intent and the conceptual logistics of your quote. So, would you say this his emotions in this regard are similar to yours, as far as your attraction to Buddha and/or his teachings are concerned?

 

[ananda]

That's pretty far-out in terms of mainstream historians. Most would see Jesus as being within the Jewish prophetic tradition.

True. I see Jesus as a reformer who learned & integrated new ideas (like from Buddhism) with fundamental Judaism in an attempt to reform the Pharisaical Judaism of his day.

 

[ananda]

Ok. Yes, I 'get' what you're saying now. Thanks for clarifying the intent and conceptual logistics of your quote. So, would you say this his emotions in this regard are similar to yours, as far as your attraction to Buddha and/or his teachings are concerned?

Yes. I see a coherence in thought as I read and understand the early Buddhist teachings. There is no doubt to me that it originated from one supremely brilliant mind who perceived and understood the core motivation in life & the core laws governing existence, and unfolded and expounded both into their various permutations to produce the great system of thought I see today.