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Should a person seek to create a stylized life?

In "The Romantic Manifesto," Ayn Rand said that "An artist does not fake reality—he stylizes it. He selects those aspects of existence which he regards as metaphysically significant—and by isolating and stressing them, by omitting the insignificant and accidental, he presents his view of existence." Should a person try to stylize his own life, such as by deliberately cultivating a consistent personal aesthetic? Should he aim to make every aspect of his life reflect his values -- eliminating the rest? Would that make for a more integrated and meaningful life -- or might that be dangerous or undesirable in some way?

Anonymous , 19.11.2013, 21:10
Idea status: completed

Comments

Adam , 21.11.2013, 05:13
I must say, the integration of morality and aesthetics is an area I find fascinating. It seems to be an area that has not been investigated too thoroughly by Objectivists. I would love to see an essay, or a book, explaining the value of living beautifully as a component in living well. It seems to me that the true, the good and the beautiful should be inseparable components of a well lived human life. One must be careful however not to fall into intrinsicism; one must not focus on the beautiful to the detriment of the practical. As always, there must be mind-body integration.

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