Beauty and conservation: a metaphysical, pedagogical and ecclesiastical perspective

Abstract

After considering the notions of technology, art and culture, this essay presents a brief study on the metaphysical concept of beauty referring particularly to the thought of Thomas Aquinas and then proposing its application in an anthropological-pedagogical sphere. Focus then moves onto the philosophical concept of “conservation”. In this way the paper intends to show how Christian thought has necessarily deepened – in the light of the fundamental notions that belong to it – both the meaning of beauty, the artistic one included, and the concept of conservation and how these perspectives can represent in some way an interesting contribution for those who work in the field of conservation sciences or in the field of the planning and promotion of artistic and cultural events, especially if these events relate to religious heritage.

Keywords

• bellezza, conservazione, arte, estetica, metafisica