I have a big announcement to make about the start of what we've all been waiting for. I found it fitting to revisit the foundations and ask myself why I am doing all this. Why am I trying to restore buildings that I think are beautiful? To help me through this question, I’ll be reading through a few sections of "Beauty: A Very Short Introduction" by Sir Roger Scruton. In short, Scruton argues that beauty is a moral endeavor. It is not up to subjective taste. Instead, beauty embodies both a rational and virtuous pursuit.
I first came across the book in graduate school when I learned about Scruton's involvement in the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission. I've since taken a deep dive into his literature and other initiatives to support architectural preservation across the UK.
In today's podcast episode, we explore the democratic principle of individual freedom and its delicate balance with the common good. We delve into how objective standards and principles, such as decorum, humility, propriety, and hierarchy, can enhance beauty. Yet, we also examine the art of skillfully breaking these rules. The episode spans topics like the transcendent, modesty, the language of classical architecture, taste, and aesthetic education.
Books Mentioned In This Episode:
Beauty by Sir Roger Scruton
The Beauty of Everyday Things by Soetsu Yanagi
Links to More Resources:
#46 Why Beauty Is Not In the Eye of the Beholder