Physical Attractiveness

[Ħ]

One of the most beautiful things I can think of in this universe is an attractive female of the human species.  There is this certain magic they have about them that sends me into a state of blissful wonder when I see them.  It's biological and ultimately sexually-driven, I know, but I wouldn't describe myself as being in a primarily lustful mindset (e.g. DAT ASS)...I'm more of a state of awe, like I'm looking at a beautiful painting, or a beautiful waterfall. 

So, it got me to thinking about physical attractiveness, if it has any real significance, and if so, what is its degree of importance?  I assume I'm not the only one with an affinity toward things that visually please my mind, and I considered posting in the LH thread, but I'd rather not hear from a bunch of desperate bums anyway confine the discussion to a single group when I could just make the topic open for everybody.

Three other questions for discussion:

1) Is physical attractiveness subjective or objective?
2) Is physical attractiveness obtainable for most people?
3) Is physical attractiveness a justifiable basis in choosing a partner?

[KevShmev]

1) Is physical attractiveness subjective or objective?

Both.

2) Is physical attractiveness obtainable for most people?

Probably.

3) Is physical attractiveness a justifiable basis in choosing a partner?

Yes.

[Adami]

It's objective in the fact that there are certain vague things most of us tend to like. It's subjective in the fact that most people don't agree on the details, even if a good amount do.

[lonestar]

1- Two answers.  There is a level of physical attractiveness that pop culture and media impose upon us, and if you buy into said standards, you're fucked, give up.  Second answer- Every individual has there own standards for attractiveness, and there is no rhyme or reason as to what a said individual finds appealing.

2- The obtaining of attractiveness lies within the individual.  So much of how we view ourselves is projected into our outward physical appearance.  If we see beauty, even a touch, within ourselves, someone else will too.

3-No.  It plays a role in the initial encounters, but the inner beauty stated above is the one that is enduring, and should be the basis for long term relationships.

[RG93]

1) Both, as Kev said. Certain people might be attractive to all, it only depends on which aspect.

2) As physical attractiveness is subjective, I'm not sure on whether to say yes or no.

3)Of course, just the degree of extent varies. Some people favour personality, but looks still matter.

[Ħ]

1) Is physical attractiveness subjective or objective?

I think it's a mix of both, but mostly objective.  Most people agree on who is attractive or not, and what makes a person attractive or not.  Models are models for a reason.  But I do think that different people develop appreciations for different niches in how a person looks.

2) Is physical attractiveness obtainable for most people?

I actually think it is possible for anyone to look beautiful, and to be regarded as attractive by a large number of people.  My reason for thinking this is just an observation of wild animals.  Think of squirrels for instance.  They spend all day moving their bodies and scrounging for food.  Yet most squirrels are very fit, healthy, adorable creatures.  The only time you see fat, ugly, out-of-shape squirrels is in places like Yosemite, where humans are constantly feeding them.  So, biologically, I think it's possible for most people to look pretty great.

3) Is physical attractiveness a justifiable basis in choosing a partner?

This I'm not sure of.  On one hand, if what I believe about my response to 2 is true, then yes, physical attractiveness is a result of good health habits, which is an indication of personal responsibility, admirable life priorities, etc.  On the other hand, a real relationship is built upon something deeper.  I would use the word "spiritual" but it might not apply in this discussion.  But, there's definitely a time when looks do fade and you'd better have something to talk about when you look over a wrinkly, hunch-backed, gray-haired old woman.

[Adami]

2) Is physical attractiveness obtainable for most people?

I actually think it is possible for anyone to look beautiful, and to be regarded as attractive by a large number of people.  

Joseph Merick might not agree. But you have a point.

[Nick]

I'll only come in on #3 and I think the answer is an absolute yes. While other facts may make some shortcomings in that area seem unimportant, you're not going to be happy in the long term with someone you are completely unattracted to.

[73109]

1) Is physical attractiveness subjective or objective?

Sorta both. There are things we, as humans, are wired to find attractive, but little nuances are where we all differ from one person to another. If you were to ask 10 different men what their "dream girl" would look like, most of them would have similar features, but they would look like different people...obviously. So, it is broadly objective, but objective once you get down to the nitty gritty details.

2) Is physical attractiveness obtainable for most people?

Tough question. As someone who wants to say, "everyone is beautiful in their own way," something is stopping me. I've seen some ladies who I could never imagine anyone being attracted to, but many find significant others who love them. So, I guess my answer would once again be yes and no. Objectively, no. Not everyone can find a way to be attractive to the masses the way many of today's sex symbols are, but subjectively, yes, seeing as how someone random dude out there may find some chick hot when 99.99% of other dudes would turn away and run, based on looks or her personality.

3) Is physical attractiveness a justifiable basis in choosing a partner?

Yes, but it should not be the only or most important one. It would be unfair to say that you should not take physical attractiveness into consideration, as one, after being in a relationship is expected to participate in sexual activity, which I can imagine to be a pretty gruesome process if you are not attracted to your partner. However, personality should be the most important thing in finding a significant other. Also, if you tend to dig a person's personality, usually, they will start looking more attractive, and vice versa.

[Ħ]

I actually think it is possible for anyone to look beautiful, and to be regarded as attractive by a large number of people.  

Joseph Merick might not agree. But you have a point.

Part of my saying that is that based on optimism.  I'd rather say it's possible, and go for it, then say it's not obtainable at all and never even try.  But all I can say with confidence is that most people can increase their physical attractiveness, even if they might not ever reach society's standards.

By the way, a friend was telling me about a study where they tested babies to determine if they were attracted to one look or another, and there was a correlation between how much a baby would look at an person and that person's attractiveness.  I can't cite the study, but doesn't that undermine the idea that we are taught what to view as attractive by culture and the media?

[Adami]

Yes, but isn't that based on visual symmetry?

[Ħ]

Yes, but isn't that based on visual symmetry?

I think so.  But isn't symmetry a major player in physical attractiveness for grown-ups?

[Adami]

Yes, but isn't that based on visual symmetry?

I think so.  But isn't symmetry a major player in physical attractiveness for grown-ups?

Indeed it is. But at least we know what we're being attracted by in that case.

[SystematicThought]

I agree with #3. It is justifiable but not always the key factor.

This year, I met one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. She is a great soccer player and in top shape physically and has a great body. It's creepy to say, coming from a 17 year old I know. Anyways, to put it concisley, I got a double chin and a little Kim Kardashian in my gut.

One of my biggest concerns before asking her out was how I looked compared to her. Fat vs thin and in shape. When she said no, it wasn't because of the way I looked (her friends confirmed that), but rather she doesn't want to commit to a relationship. I later found out that it was because she was hurt last time in a relationship and doesn't want that again.

So I do think that physical attractiveness is a justifiable basis for choosing someone, but it isn't always the top factor and it isn't always necessarily true. I think I may be way off base with the topic though...

[j]

doesn't that undermine the idea that we are taught what to view as attractive by culture and the media?

If there is a "learned" aspect of physical attraction, which there very well may be, I think it is far less significant than the tendencies we come by biologically.

-J

[GuineaPig]

Yes, but isn't that based on visual symmetry?

I think so.  But isn't symmetry a major player in physical attractiveness for grown-ups?

A lot of what's considered "attractive" is driven by natural selection.  Symmetry is one aspect; having limbs being the same length is a great boon for survivability.

[zerogravityfat]

1.618 is hot.

[ricky]

subjective, yes, and obsolutely.


respectively.

[El Barto]

I'm going with totally subjective.  The thing is, there was a study a while back that determined the perfect ratio for bust/hips which seemed to correlate to the perfect female body.  Yet, Cameron Mannheim still gets laid.  There are certain characteristics that appeal to the average person, but there are tons of people who're attracted to something completely different. 

[bosk1]

My contribution to the discussion:  Chicks definitely flock to me because I'm hawt.  So there you have it.

[7StringedBeast]

My contribution to the discussion:  Chicks definitely flock to me because I'm hawt.  So there you have it.

Your helmet, its so.. big!

[Nighthawkwill7]

I think physical attractiveness is important, but only to a certain degree.

It is what pulls us in initially but it is the personality that truly keeps us interested.

All of this is of course, subjective.

[EPICVIEW]

I dig chicks...chicks dig me.. life has been good..Im married.. wife is hawt and cool..I can still look without reprecussions..LOL..

Yes...chicks are the magic.. I have no "type" some just have that beauty.. but nobody can be beautiful without an inner beauty that shines through..

[sonatafanica]

I can usually evaluate a girl's worth with just a cursory glance. If there's nothing going on in the face, butt, or boob regions then we are not a match. In fact usually if I see a girl who does not please me visually I will lock eyes with her and shake my head and mouth the words, "you've got your sexy wrong". Most of the time they are profoundly affected by this and will either cry immediately or at the very least stop believing in magic.

[EPICVIEW]

I can usually evaluate a girl's worth with just a cursory glance. If there's nothing going on in the face, butt, or boob regions then we are not a match. In fact usually if I see a girl who does not please me visually I will lock eyes with her and shake my head and mouth the words, "you've got your sexy wrong". Most of the time they are profoundly affected by this and will either cry immediately or at the very least stop believing in magic.

what if she has a pretty bow in her hair? or a cool color of nail polish?

[sonatafanica]

I can usually evaluate a girl's worth with just a cursory glance. If there's nothing going on in the face, butt, or boob regions then we are not a match. In fact usually if I see a girl who does not please me visually I will lock eyes with her and shake my head and mouth the words, "you've got your sexy wrong". Most of the time they are profoundly affected by this and will either cry immediately or at the very least stop believing in magic.

what if she has a pretty bow in her hair? or a cool color of nail polish?

bows in hair are always +5 points, but almost every girl I see is a -5 anyway so

[MetalManiac666]

1) Both.
2) Most?  Yes.  All?  Probably not.
3) Not as the sole reason, but as a factor, yes.

[El JoNNo]

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo,
flying across in front of a beautiful sunset?  And he's carrying a
beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful
painting with his feet.  And also, you're drunk.