The Concept of Beauty in Augustine of Hippo

Abstract

These reflections aim at showing how de concept of beauty in Augustine of Hippo is influenced by the Platonic-Aristotelian tradition as well as by the Scriptures. Regarding the former, the emphasis is placed upon the notions of symmetry, proportion, form, unity and, therefore, beauty. Concerning the Scriptures, Augustine considers first of all the role of creation and the action of God in the universe as the Being out of which everything is mutually connected in proportion and unity. In such a universe, as Augustine underscores the role of man as the image and resemblance of God, he explores as well the concept of participation, which also goes back to Plato and to the Scriptures. This text ends pointing out to the typically Stoic paradox of in spite of. Thus, in spite of evil, there is good, in spite of ugliness and disgracefulness, there is beauty.