On Life as a Work of Art
On The Beautiful Soul
An Ancient Tradition for Creating a Beautiful Life
The Beautiful Soul is a philosophical tradition of the Enlightenment and Romantic eras, inspired by ancient Greek ideas, developed by the poets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.
The Beautiful Soul suggests that beauty, goodness, and truth are the ends towards which life should be directed. This philosophy argues that social progress must occur on an individual level by improving the condition of one’s character through the appreciation of beauty and aspiring towards moral and intellectual betterment.
The Beautiful Soul offers an optimistic vision for reaching one’s full potential, finding happiness and meaning in life, and positively shaping society as a compassionate, rational, and well-informed citizen.
On Salon Culture
A Vibrant Conversation Space for Social and Intellectual Exchange
Salons bring individuals together to engage in the art of conversation to advance knowledge and fellowship. A salonnière facilitates discussion on a selected topic in the arts, sciences, culture, philosophy, or politics.
Salon culture began in 16th century Italy and blossomed in 18th century France. Salons were founded on principles of equality, tolerance, and freedom of expression. They played a critical role in the development of a democratic public sphere in Europe and were the catalyst for important intellectual and artistic movements.
The Connection
Beautiful Souls are Cultivated within Salons
Inspired by the idealism of the Beautiful Soul’s philosophy and its faith in human potential, celebrated German-Jewish salonnières of post-revolutionary Berlin, such as Henriette Herz and Rahel Varnhagen, strove to bring a more beautiful humanity into being. These salonnières saw this philosophy as a force for emancipation and unity in a world fragmented by social divisions. They created a space for people to practice the Beautiful Soul with others, self-cultivating through the arts and conversation within their salons.
Why Today?
A Renaissance of Virtues & Ideals
In a global culture riven by superficiality, loneliness, mob mentalities, and incendiary politics, cultivating a beautiful soul is a lost art form. We believe that leading a good life and creating a more enlightened society begins by observing our own character weaknesses and improving them, transforming ourselves into more beautiful souls for the greater social good.
““The beautiful is not different from the good: The beautiful is the good which shows itself to us pleasingly veiled.””
