“It is only beauty that can save the world” (Dostoyevsky)

Last week’s column on the loss of human touch in a series of people’s interactions which we have to consider as necessary for safety, sensitivity, serenity and survival. We regretted the loss even if their absence is as well necessary for our survival and common welfare. Which we respect even if this downside of social distancing and health protocols are confusing and difficult.

The main reason for our reflection, not objection, is the loss of the benefits of order and peace arising from living the human values of proportion, harmony and unity (elements of beauty), which are created, often unknowingly, by art-filled and artistic human touches in many modes of interactions and encounters. What do we mean by “living the benefits…”?

Very simply it means to observe or show in one’s actions and behavior the values of proportion or balance, of harmony, of unity and of order. This will make the person truthful, good and beautiful. He or she would be a loving, peaceful and consequently a saving solution to any unjust and sinful disproportion or imbalance, disharmony, disunity and disorder in the character and behavior of leaders like parents, teachers, associations heads, priests, bishops, major superiors, barangay captains, councilors, city mayors, provincial governors, congress representatives, senators, court judges, cabinet heads, military and police officials, ambassadors and heads of world bodies and of nations.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky was the famous Russian novelist. One of his popular novels was The Idiot. In the novel this character, aside from his idiotic behavior, represents the wisdom and prudence of Jesus Christ. One of his wise words on human behavior were, “It is only beauty that can save the world”.