Saving Beauty by Byung-Chul Han

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Review of Saving Beauty by Byung-Chul Han, translated by Daniel Steuer. Polity, 2017.
#byungchulhan #philosophy #aesthetics

[@philosophy_schilling]

This is one of my top 5 of Han's books. It has a good point about how selfies are pornographic because they are straight/face forward and there is not a distance or mystery or any kind of uniqueness, narrative, or artistic lingering. It actually taught me a lot about how to create more beautiful photos, a kind of aesthetic that has an element of eros. Of course, my instagram is just of books, but I think it still applies. I like your point about filters = smoothing out. Great analysis and critique! My favorite of Han's is still the first one I read - The Disappearance of Rituals.

[@DavoodGozli]

Thanks a lot, Dr. S! It warms my heart to hear your encouraging words and know that I am in for a treat with the future books, since I haven't yet read the Disappearance of Rituals.

[@marlobardo4274]

Thank you for your clear and concise exposition on so many levels and fronts...you truly are a scholarly gem. As is aletheia [Heidegger] for truth so is lethe or letheia for beauty [Han] the veiling and the unveiling of the mystery that is light and life. Heidegger said that the essence of humanity clothes itself in mysteries and secrets. Maybe this comes close to what Han means by surrendering to or allowing for the Erlosung [Salvation] as the Losung [Solution] rather than the constant seeking after a solution [leading to new problems and challenges] for salvation. To entlosen to untie the knot of trying to find solutions.The concealing or lethe/letheia needs LIchtung [clearing] for perception and her beauty... and aletheia or the unconcealing needs the [Dichtung] or the dark thickets to be present and absence as the mysterium tremendum et fascinans.

[@jayceladkins7721]

Definitely interesting, will have to pick up as well. I wander if Han’s idea of ‘veiling’ is in some way inspired by the Warring States philosophies of Kongzi and Zhuangzi, by transferring those thinkers thoughts on what is the proper relation between people and politics when a person lives in a vicious age, namely a withdrawal. In the former until the age transitions back to a virtuous age and in the later a judgment that the public/political realm is inherently antithetical to the project at hand. My thoughts immediately went to the parables in the Zhuangzi of various sages and who they are and where they are found. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@DavoodGozli]

That’s a wonderful connection! I will keep it in mind when re-reading the book.

[@AliciatheCho]

Byung being Catholic gives some added context. Beauty is critical in that tradition. Beauty is the derivative of goodness and truth - aka the transcendentals. Beauty is a harmonia mundi, the harmony of the world Roger Scruton is another greater philosopher on aesthetics and art.

[@DavoodGozli]

All spheres of culture, it appears to me, produce beauty, including not only religions, arts and literature, but also scientific endeavors. As such, I'm not sure if I'd ascribe a unique status to any one religion. Having said that, it's understandable that everyone finds a special connection to their own traditions, for personal and historical reasons. The question is whether and to what extent would one allow that tradition to monopolize one's aesthetic life.

[@AliciatheCho]

@@DavoodGozli I believe there’s a misunderstanding. I don’t ascribe unique status to any religion via. i simply stated the fact of Byung was Catholic and now the tradition centers beauty. Neither of which I realized until I did a bit of digging. It’s fair to say it does influence his philosophy and now others can explore that angle - that is beauty from a Catholic perspective. It also Byung’s work from a spiritual lens.

[@DavoodGozli]

Thank you for clarifying. Yes, I think that's completely fair to put his philosophical writing in the context of his life and other commitments.