An ideal in which beauty and moral goodness are joined.
Reach for it when discussing the ancient Greek concept rather than offering casual praise
The essay asks whether the building achieves kalon through graceful form and public generosity.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
everyday
Fits when ethical worth should be stated plainly
Careful Goodness leaves out the union with beauty that makes kalon distinctive.
warm
Fits when aesthetic excellence is the only intended claim
Careful Beauty omits the moral goodness joined to appearance in kalon.
warm
Fits when beauty of form and generosity of spirit meet naturally
Careful Grace has religious and social meanings distinct from this classical concept.
formal
Fits when moral elevation is more important than physical form
Careful Nobility can concern rank or character with no aesthetic dimension.
literary
the sublime
Fits when aesthetic experience inspires awe beyond ordinary beauty
Careful The sublime can be terrifying and does not require moral goodness.
ideal of kalon
The ideal of kalon shaped the philosopher's account of education.
pursuit of kalon
Their pursuit of kalon joined fine craft with service to the city.
concept of kalon
The concept of kalon resists a simple division between ethics and aesthetics.
Keep in mind
Kalon is a transliterated ancient Greek concept. Treating it as a trendy synonym for beauty erases its ethical dimension.
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