The Figure of Beatrice is an examination and elucidation of how and under what circumstances idealising somebody or something can be a good thing, and how such instances differ from when it's just objectification-by-pedestal. Williams uses Dante's Beatrice as an example of good 'idealisation' and (if I recall correctly) the rape of the Sabine women as an example of bad 'objectification'. His conception of the difference is that in the second case you're thinking that this wonderful thing belongs to you whereas in the first case you're thinking that it is wonderful because it belongs to the universe or God.
Comments 2
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Leave a comment