A Comparison of Beauty Definition in Farabi and Aquinas's Views; with Emphasis on Perfection Concept
Abstract
Farabi in the context of Islamic philosophy and Aquinas in the context of Christian philosophy both use the concept of "perfection" in the definition of "beauty". This research, using by the library collection, and qualitative analysis method, examines the beauty definitions and the concept of perfection in them. The results of this study shows that the two philosophers are similar in their definition of beauty and its grades. Farabi is more concerned with the concept of "perfection" in the definition of beauty, and instead Aquinas refers to "placent", "fit" and "Clarity" which is not explicitly mentioned in Farabi's definitions. Another important issue is linking beauty with holy trinity by Aquinas, which Farabi does not use in Islamic concepts. Also, while there are references to subjective beauty in Aquinas' philosophy, as a conclusion, we can say that beauty in the view of both philosophers is objective.