The Greeks’ definition of beauty encompassed both inner and outer. They did not divide the human body in judging its beauty into body and soul. Consequently, the Greeks believed that when someone is called beautiful that person should be beautiful in mind, body and soul. However, Socrates taught the Greeks that life is full of contradictions, especially when it comes to beauty. He was living proof that a man, ugly in body, could be beautiful in soul.
Traditionally, Christians have agreed with Socrates, who believed you could have a beautiful body but not have a good moral compass. They believe that there is a hierarchy when it comes to beauty, with the spirit at the top and the body on the bottom. Spiritual beauty is more revered by Christians than physical beauty. They believe that spiritual enlightenment and growth are more important in defining someone as beautiful. They believe that even if you have a body that is corrupted with disease but have a pure spirit, you are considered beautiful.
Certainly, Susan Sontag is one of the detractors of the Christian definition of beauty because it divides the human body into parts that are separately evaluated. Since each part of the body is being scrutinized, women feel they need to aim for perfection, even though physical perfection in men is considered trivial, if not undesirable. According to Sontag, beauty is no longer deeply valued because beauty has been attributed to one sex, women. This obligation to be beautiful demoralizes and oppresses women. Sontag also believes that beauty is a form of power, and, unfortunately, this is the only form of power women are encouraged to seek in relation to men. Beauty is not only a form of power – it is also used as currency by both men and women, no matter whose definition of beauty we use. For example, in the movie business, mediocre actors can make millions of dollars if they are beautiful, while extremely talented actors can make a great deal less if they are ugly and talented. With every passing day, Sontag’s arguments are becoming less valid because men are trying to attain the same form of beauty as women. In fact, men are being encouraged by the media, for example, on the TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, to attain the same level of beauty as women. Therefore, their bodies are being judged in parts.