Monday, February 9, 2009

Brains or Beauty, which is important to you and why?


Both beauty and brains are subjective. Hence, a person can often fall into an illusion of having both without having either of them. Nevertheless, I reckon both in moderation are quite important.

Brains aka intelligence is more long lasting than beauty. Besides, in today’s world, beauty can be artificially procured by a variety of cosmetic surgeries. And, beauty comes with a shelf-life. One may stay beautiful until 40 or even 50 years of age. However, intelligence lasts longer and continues to grow.

With intelligence comes a more bold and confident personality. That is, one might look average but may have a commendable general knowledge. It is not to be forgotten that most famous women in the world where known more for their intelligence than beauty; Cleopatra and Veronica Franco. Undoubtedly, brains trump beauty.

But, one needs to have an attractive physical appearance to trigger a conversation. Attraction is the one main factor that draws attention. One needs to be good or at least average looking to be classified as presentable. Only then, people shall show interest in involving oneself in a conversation.

Ultimately, it depends on what an individual values more. To simply put it, it is a choice between someone who constantly looks for a mirror to check on his/her looks to a person with whom you can have an informative and healthy conversation.

Besides, there is no protocol that an intelligent person is ugly and a beautiful person is less intelligent. Mostly, one might find a combination of both.

Physical attraction is temporary, as beauty is not long lasting and is merely a first-sight impression. Therefore, I regard or value brains slightly over beauty. A comfortable balance between the two will lead to a win-win situation. Besides, any of the negative qualities can be improved later on.

A bit of both beauty and brains is quintessential. But, in the ideal world, the scale shall definitely tip more towards brains than beauty.

Copyright © Ajey Padival 2009 (Brisbane, Australia; +61-434360675; ajeypadival@msn.com)

Image captured by Moony QTR

34 responses:

Manoj Sinha said...

Hi Bros,
Thanks for yor comments first, how did u know about my blog? I think from vinay? I love music an lyrics to. I will visit yor blog regular.

Judith Ellis said...

Brosreview - Thank you for the question. Before even reading the post I could not help but to ask myself, why even think even propose such a question?

I wonder if there need not be an Either/Or. This distinction is considered in the work of the great Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, the distinction being asethetics or ethics.

The discussion, however, eminiates from our sense of being, which is influenced by internal and external forces. Kiekergaard asks about the essence of existence.

Thanks for the post; it's quite thoughtful. I shall now freshen up on Kierkegaard.

Opaque said...

@Manoj - I found your blog via Vinay's. And, it is fantastic Manoj. I am following yours on a regular basis because of the same.

You're always welcome here. Thank you.

Opaque said...

@Judith - Umm, Judith, I was asked this question a couple of days back. And, I typed my answer to share it with everyone.

True it is a preference to be made between aesthetics and ethics. But, not necessarily. Yea, I shall look for Kierkegaard's book(s).

Thank you Judith. Hope my answer was justifying.

Walker said...

I always thought beauty was in the mind and the flesh was hunger for lust.
The flesh will always attract but the mind will keep you there intrigued.
Physical beauty is an illusion that people create.
Just my opinion

Judith Ellis said...

Thanks for sharing, Brosreview--appreciated.

Regarding justifiable answers, I am not sure if I ever give any.

There is only what we sense to be true. Well, this is at least what I value.

Opaque said...

@Judith, you are so correct on the ideology of "justifiable answers". It is so interesting to read your thoughts. Thanks for that.

Opaque said...

@Walker - I respect your thoughts. I agree to them too. But, while spoken superficially, I reckon beauty is tagged with the "flesh" you mentioned.

In that respect, I would lean more towards intelligence, wouldn't you?

Walker said...

I rather someone with intellegence always have and who's to say what beauty is.
If you travelled the globe and asked everyone what is physical beauty most would tell you something different.

Khaled KEM said...

Hi Ajey,

I like the post..it makes us all thinking.

For me, brains is important though I am always drawn to beauty.
The question is: Is beauty what you see with your eyes or beauty that you live it inside? and what are the consequences of this beauty on you?
Beauty in appearance, in people, in things..
Sorry my bros..I do not want to get philosophical here but you raised a deep and sincere question to be answered!!

Opaque said...

@Khaled KEM - Umm, the question was based on a very superficial level. Although I appreciate the philosophical touch, the answer did not demand that.

Precisely, the one who asked me this referred brains with intelligence and beauty with physical beauty aka appearance. Hope this helps your next comment.

I understand the other or deeper interpretation of beauty - inner beauty. But, the answer does not demand that.

Waiting for your response.

Lou said...

Thanks for visiting my site Bros but dude I don't think I am smart enough to even add a comment here. Must say though that I think your site is gorgeous.

Everyone is beautiful and everyone has smarts, just obviously to varying degrees and in particular ways. Neither are more important, they just are.

Please no one ask me to justify this comment or I'll have to run for the hills 8-)

Opaque said...

@Lou - Please don't underestimate yourself Lou. Feel free to add your thoughts on any of the posts here. We are all just sharing out knowledge.

I am following your lovely blog. Thanks for visiting mine.

Shadow said...

i agree with you, a bit of both is appreciated. mind you, while the beauty's there, i'm certainly not discounting it, heee heee heeee

Opaque said...

@Shadow - Hehe. I reckon I would do the same as well.

Khaled KEM said...

Hi Ajey,

Ok I got it. I think for me it has been always Brains even beauty attracts the eyes.
How many times I get drawn to beauty but if there is no brain or substance to it...you will sense the emptiness of this beauty.
I think that the answer would be different from one person to another. There are people only attracted by beauty.

That's what I think?

Ali said...

Hello Brosreview!

Your question is interesting but it is a large scale subject to discuss. From my perspective, we all bias to beauty at least once upon a life time but we have to realize that all what beauty gives us is temporary joy and happiness, unlike the knowledge that gives us eternal joy, enlightenment, and the most important thing: it eases our life. I am talking about both sexes, beauty has never given us something that stayed with us for more than a few yrs but look what knowledge has. Eisntein's knowledge, or Edison's knowledge has stayed with the people for centuries and will stay until the end of the world.

It is said: "everything shrinks as it is used, except for knowledge that expands and expands as it gets older and more people use it".

Opaque said...

@Khaled KEM - I like the way you have put it "emptiness of this beauty" - beauty without brains.

Bit of both in moderation is right.

Opaque said...

@Ali - True!!! Beauty marks the initial reaction but is, as you said quite "temporary".

Your ending quote says it all. Thanks for that Ali.

Linda S. Socha said...

I found myself reading and rereading parts of this post. I deeply admire whatever Judith has to say and I find her remarks often brilliant.

I found myself drawn over and over the beliefs I hold regarding asethetics......and environmental beauty which to me is so intertwinded with beauty and intellect...Thought provoking
Linda

Rainbow dreams said...

We are all drawn naturally to what we perceive as beautiful and it often fascinates me as to what different people view as beautiful.. but for a relationship to last there has to be more to bind it together. As you say, the outer beauty may subside and if there is nothing to take it's place it will fade.
Perhaps it's where lust turns into love...? just a thought...! Katie :)

Opaque said...

@Linda S. Socha - Thank you for reading.

Opaque said...

@Rainbow dreams - Perhaps, you are right with that thought.

Linda S. Socha said...

P.S. The Classical Piano is wonderful. Thank you
Linda

Opaque said...

@Linda - I like classical piano instrumentals. It suits the mood of the blog, in my opinion.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

Nice one Ajey.But dont you think heart has any role in ones personality?

Anonymous said...

I think I said it before on someone elses 'Blog' but I believe real beauty comes from within and it does not change with age.
You can see sometimes when a person walks into a room and the whole room lights up. Not because the person is so physically attractive, but because they have an inner peace and confidence within themselves.
I think if one can love oneself, then it is easier for others to love you and they will.
You are crazy/mad you know! You are reading all my Poems I have posted. Bless. Thanks you.You made my Soul laugh again.I'm glad there is someone out there.

Opaque said...

@SarahA - I completely agree with you!!!

And, about the madness; call me mad if you like but I don't mind that as I am witnessing some real unique talent here.

Anonymous said...

*smile*

Viji said...

astonishing... i wrote a similar post in my blog...
http://viji-poetrymypassion.blogspot.com/2008/11/concept-of-beauty-subjective-or.html
I completely agree with you...

Opaque said...

@Viji - Oh, I shall read your post soon. You think likewise too. Nice!!!

Strawberry Girl said...

Brains or Beauty?

If this is the question asked to oneself about who do you associate with, the answer to me is who can you stand to talk to, regardless about how they look? That is associate with.

If it has to do with who you marry, it is I think as you say brains slightly over beauty.

If it has to do with you, yourself, it becomes more of a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, you could devote a great deal of time to study and neglect your appearance, at some point you will look like a hunchback librarian and people will avoid you from the sheer horror of having to look at you. On the other hand, you could spend so much time trying to improve your appearance that you end up walking around with a fake tan, hair extentions/perm/highlights and a vacant expression on your face so people will avoid you simply because they think you are an idiot! So for yourself, definantly, there needs to be a balance.

Opaque said...

@SG - Thanks for your viewpoint.

Strawberry Girl said...

Darling, that's all you can say to my detailed analysis of this baffling question? Certainly such a brilliant dissertation on Brains vs. Beauty deserves a more thoughtful reply...

hehe