Single Idea 4870

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 5. Natural Beauty]

Full Idea

The most beautiful hand seen through the microscope will appear horrible.

Gist of Idea

The most beautiful hand seen through the microscope will appear horrible

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (Letters to Hugo Boxel [1674], 1674?)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.382


A Reaction

Spinoza offers this nicely expressed point to support his view that beauty is strictly relative to observers, but I am unconvinced. If the outline of the hand is its key aesthetic feature, the viewer through the microscope cannot see it.