The Secret Power of Beauty: Why Happiness Is in the Eye of the Beholder: 5why Happiness Is in the Eye of the Beholder

John Armstrong catalogues the approaches philosophers and artists have made towards beauty. It's a topic that has puzzled me for a long while. I can remember when I was young watching a movie and being unnattracted to the leading lady at the outset, but by the end of the movie I was enchanted, captivated. And then I wondered why, of all the great melodies, rhythms and orchestration of 'The Nutcracker' ballet it is the 'Waltz of the Snowflakes' that is special for me. There are ways of thinking about these puzzles in this book that had not occurred to me. But there aren't any answers. Mostly I liked what I read - but as soon as evolutionary biology gets a foothold I start squirming. It's not that I oppose evolution (change does take place after all) but it seems to me that the theory of evolution is misapplied by people either foolishly or else scurrilously. And let's face it - many 'unattractive' people are the heart of wonderful families, and many 'attractive' ones are total duds. I liked this book, but much more I enjoyed and valued Mr Armstrong's 'The Conditions of Love'.