A Reconsideration on the Theory of Beauty: Selected Definitions, Concepts and Views on the Topic (Part I)

This paper is the first part of our work that aims to rethink the concept of beauty as close as possible to its essence, in the way it integrates the science of aesthetics with the field of construction. The study may be further used, within other theoretical and practical works, for physically reflecting the definition of beauty in areas such as architecture, civil engineering or urban planning, and to support professionals in designing and building beautiful objects and constructions. It is important to note at this point that the assumption is that there must be a particular original aspect related to beauty that leads a human-made object to success, which needs to be further identified. The approach to the concept of beauty is through a broadly philosophical approach and partly through the areas mentioned above. The initial study aims to frame the niche of the beauty within the field of aesthetics, continuing the guidelines provided in the Architecture School of Cluj-Napoca. It further lists relevant concepts raised through the discussions, the arguments defining beauty, and comprises a brief presentation of the views of beauty from a selection of aestheticians accompanied by short observations about our understanding on beauty, and the conclusions of this preliminary study. We considered it essential to present a selection of concepts and views on beauty so to further apply them to constructions, and later to the presentation of our own reconsidered theory.