Beauty
Dr. Karl S. Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow, The Science Foundation for Physics, The University of SydneyOur society thinks “beauty” is very important. The only two professions, in which women usually earn more than men, are prostitution and modeling. But the problem of what exactly beauty is, has been worrying thinkers for thousands of years. The philosophers have had the field to themselves for a long time, but now biologists and psychologists are looking at “beauty”. Maybe Roget’s Thesaurus got closer than it realized when it gave one meaning for “beauty” as “symmetry”.
Symmetry means being the same, or even, on each side.
Now most of us humans (the right-handed ones, at least) have our right foot slightly bigger than our left foot.
In other words, our feet are non-symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Photographers have long known that there's always a slight difference between the
left side of your face and the right side of your face.
And so, since the early days of Hollywood, many actors have preferred to be photographed on
one side of their face, rather than the other - on their best side.
But over the last few years, the biologists have looked at the animal kingdom, and they've made a few discoveries about symmetry, and how it relates to beauty and fitness.
First, animals that are more symmetrical are more likely to attract a mate.
Secondly, symmetry is related to fitness. Horses that are more symmetrical run faster than horses that are less symmetrical.
In fact, those individuals that are lucky enough to inherit a sturdy genetic makeup, and are also lucky
enough to get good nutrition while they're growing, will end up being more symmetrical.
And just like in animals, symmetry in humans seems to be a large part of what we think is beautiful. There are other factors involved, but symmetry seems to be one of the big ones.
Various studies have showed that if a body is very symmetrical, he or she will begin a sex life earlier,
have more sexual partners, and be a better lover.
Now it's a bit strange to imagine that a few grams of flesh on one side of the body rather than the
other side should make any difference to one's fertility, fitness or attractiveness.
But maybe, just like in the animal kingdom, symmetry in humans could be a measure of general fitness and vigor.
So it seems that as far as we humans and science are concerned, beauty is not entirely in the “eye of the beholder”. It seems to be related to symmetry, fitness and fertility.