The Beautiful Soul

An Ancient Tradition for Composing a Beautiful Life

The Beautiful Soul is a philosophy on the art of self-cultivation of the Enlightenment and Romantic eras, inspired by Platonic ideals, developed by the poets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

According to this philosophy we must strive to improve our mind, character, and spirit through the appreciation and creation of beauty. The Beautiful Soul offers an optimistic vision for reaching one’s full potential, discovering happiness in life, and positively shaping society as a compassionate, rational, and well-informed citizen.

Salon Culture

A Vibrant Conversation Space for Social and Intellectual Exchange

Salon culture began in 16th century Italy and blossomed in 18th century France. Salons are social occasions for the art of conversation. In a salon people come together to discuss ideas in a spirit of friendship and goodwill. Salons were organised by pioneering women who opened their homes to others and facilitated discussion. They advanced principles of equality, tolerance, fellowship, and freedom of expression. Salon culture contributed to the development of a public sphere in Europe and was the catalyst for important intellectual and artistic movements.

The Connection

Beautiful Souls are Cultivated within Salons

Inspired by the idealism of the Beautiful Soul, celebrated German-Jewish salonnières in the 18th and 19th centuries strove to bring a more beautiful humanity into being. They created a space for people to practice this philosophy with others, self-cultivating through the arts, music, and conversation within their salons.

On Beauty

“The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings.” -Plato

Beauty, according to the ancient Greeks, is an eternal, universal value indivisibly connected to goodness and truth. In the modern world, this Platonic definition of beauty has been reduced to physical appearances, reflecting a superficial value system. Restoring the classical definition of beauty, and the values it represents, will improve society.

Beauty is important to this tradition because it brings us happiness and meaning and connects us to other people. When we view a beautiful landscape, we feel serenity and contentment. In a world of suffering, the beauty of music provides us with hope and a reason to endure our daily struggles. Through the beauty of literature or film, we place ourselves in the position of others, as if it were our own. By rendering ourselves receptive to beauty, we develop empathy. Cultivating our ability to perceive beauty advances human flourishing and social harmony.

Our Background

Founder Justine Kolata is a Yale University (B.A) and University of Cambridge (Ph.D.) educated writer. Her first book In Pursuit of the Beautiful Soul is about the philosophy of the Beautiful Soul and salon culture. Her upcoming book Beauty Will Save the World will be published shorty. Drawing upon her scholarly research and experience organising salons since 2013, she founded The Beautiful Soul to revive the practice of this philosophy.

Our Books