Scruton was not without flaw (because he was human like the rest of us) but the fact he became a controversial figure at the end of his life possibly says more about the masses than it did about the man.
I always admire someone who doesn’t back down from the mob.
I didn’t quite see the controversy but neither did I agree with his most devoted fans. I think they missed the message and loved the messenger. Perhaps we should focus on finding and creating beauty as your article elegantly suggests. And yes, the mob advancing towards you in later life is often (but not always!) a vindication of your life’s work - and that’s a beautiful thing
'I think they missed the message and loved the messenger.'
This is such a prevalent part of the modern world- and very much driven by the internet I would say. For whatever reason we seem to collectively really struggle to separate the individual from their message. I vaguely, dimmly remember a time when this wasn't the case (or at least wasn't quite so stark) but I sometimes wonder if I am simply imagining it...
Thought provoking as always, Tom! Have you read “Divine Beauty” by John O’Donohue? It’s an insightful book about this very topic, and takes the idea of beauty to a deep level, talking about art, music and life. It does have a basis in Christianity but don’t let that put you off – it isn’t heavy handed, more of a spiritual element than religious and easy to read beyond that aspect.
I haven’t but I’ll check it out. Religious or secular makes no difference to me when it comes to reading material- it’s just heavy handed preaching that gets me and I find that atheists can be just as guilty of that.
Thanks for the recommendation, always love hearing about new (to me) books via word of mouth.
I think letting go of hammering home some sort of didactic point and instead just trying to observe things is a part of it, but I’m just feeling around in the dark the same as everyone else mostly.
One can always find what he or she is looking for if one is good at searching. And the more one looks for it, the easier it becomes to be discovered. The problem is, however, with our personal definition of beauty. For some there is only Beauty with capital B, for others - leaves rustling in the wind are beautiful enough. If you look for The Grand Beauty, you risk failing to find it and become desperate. But if you are able to see it in simple things, you soon realise that it is everywhere.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", they say.
Сontrast plays important role in defining and finding beauty. Let's imagine two polar situations. The first is when you are surrounded by gloomy ugliness (dystopian beauty). Beauty is scarce and is seemingly hard to find something beautiful, but in fact, it's easier than you think, because it stands out. The opposite situation occurs when you are surrounded by a fabulous splendour (utopian beauty). Beauty is abundant and you know nothing but beauty and therefore the essence of it dies and it's taken for granted.
Paradoxically, in both cases, you'll end up finding true beauty in small simple things that nearly nobody pays attention to.
I agree that beauty can potential be found (virtually)anywhere if you are attuned to it and pay sufficient attention. But trying to find beauty in the ‘ugly’ modern urban sprawl is like playing the game on the hardest setting. A grounding in traditional or if you like ‘normal’ beauty is needed first, I would say. The best of modernist art and poetry is the stuff that was most thoroughly grounded in tradition. This is not a coincidence.
Yeah, I agree, traditional beauty slowly gets washed out from every day things. Maybe it only seems that way. Every generation has its own standards but something that we consider traditional is more or less stable. Or is it? I wonder how it’s gonna be in 50-100 years with modern tendencies. Interesting time we live in.
I think things will polarise further. The Brutalism and it’s offspring will become more extreme but enclaves or more classical beauty will also be established. Everything will decentralise, everything.
My pleasure, Jason. And yes every city does have an ‘Old Town’ for the rich that is beautiful and green and well kept. The concrete is for the plebs and contributes to a vicious cycle. You never see graffiti on a Georgian townhouse.
Wonderful article. Thanks for bringing us the ugliest place in Britain, a war cry for galleries and Roger Scruton all in the same piece.
Scruton was not without flaw (because he was human like the rest of us) but the fact he became a controversial figure at the end of his life possibly says more about the masses than it did about the man.
I always admire someone who doesn’t back down from the mob.
I didn’t quite see the controversy but neither did I agree with his most devoted fans. I think they missed the message and loved the messenger. Perhaps we should focus on finding and creating beauty as your article elegantly suggests. And yes, the mob advancing towards you in later life is often (but not always!) a vindication of your life’s work - and that’s a beautiful thing
'I think they missed the message and loved the messenger.'
This is such a prevalent part of the modern world- and very much driven by the internet I would say. For whatever reason we seem to collectively really struggle to separate the individual from their message. I vaguely, dimmly remember a time when this wasn't the case (or at least wasn't quite so stark) but I sometimes wonder if I am simply imagining it...
Madeleinejust now
Thought provoking as always, Tom! Have you read “Divine Beauty” by John O’Donohue? It’s an insightful book about this very topic, and takes the idea of beauty to a deep level, talking about art, music and life. It does have a basis in Christianity but don’t let that put you off – it isn’t heavy handed, more of a spiritual element than religious and easy to read beyond that aspect.
I haven’t but I’ll check it out. Religious or secular makes no difference to me when it comes to reading material- it’s just heavy handed preaching that gets me and I find that atheists can be just as guilty of that.
Thanks for the recommendation, always love hearing about new (to me) books via word of mouth.
This is beautiful.
Thanks Elle, that’s very kind of you to say.
I think letting go of hammering home some sort of didactic point and instead just trying to observe things is a part of it, but I’m just feeling around in the dark the same as everyone else mostly.
There is no point to anything, merely observation.
This is very true.
That being said, today’s post was a particularly lovely observation.
Very kind of you to say. I was tickled to see you write about flaneuring by the way. Great minds and all that.
Thanks for the essay, Tom!
One can always find what he or she is looking for if one is good at searching. And the more one looks for it, the easier it becomes to be discovered. The problem is, however, with our personal definition of beauty. For some there is only Beauty with capital B, for others - leaves rustling in the wind are beautiful enough. If you look for The Grand Beauty, you risk failing to find it and become desperate. But if you are able to see it in simple things, you soon realise that it is everywhere.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", they say.
Сontrast plays important role in defining and finding beauty. Let's imagine two polar situations. The first is when you are surrounded by gloomy ugliness (dystopian beauty). Beauty is scarce and is seemingly hard to find something beautiful, but in fact, it's easier than you think, because it stands out. The opposite situation occurs when you are surrounded by a fabulous splendour (utopian beauty). Beauty is abundant and you know nothing but beauty and therefore the essence of it dies and it's taken for granted.
Paradoxically, in both cases, you'll end up finding true beauty in small simple things that nearly nobody pays attention to.
I agree that beauty can potential be found (virtually)anywhere if you are attuned to it and pay sufficient attention. But trying to find beauty in the ‘ugly’ modern urban sprawl is like playing the game on the hardest setting. A grounding in traditional or if you like ‘normal’ beauty is needed first, I would say. The best of modernist art and poetry is the stuff that was most thoroughly grounded in tradition. This is not a coincidence.
Yeah, I agree, traditional beauty slowly gets washed out from every day things. Maybe it only seems that way. Every generation has its own standards but something that we consider traditional is more or less stable. Or is it? I wonder how it’s gonna be in 50-100 years with modern tendencies. Interesting time we live in.
I think things will polarise further. The Brutalism and it’s offspring will become more extreme but enclaves or more classical beauty will also be established. Everything will decentralise, everything.
My pleasure, Jason. And yes every city does have an ‘Old Town’ for the rich that is beautiful and green and well kept. The concrete is for the plebs and contributes to a vicious cycle. You never see graffiti on a Georgian townhouse.
Brutalist town planners have a lot to answer for.