Philosopher's Zone What beauty apps are doing to us
Sep 25, 2025
Yves St. James Aquino, a philosopher and bioethicist at the University of Wollongong, delves into the impact of beauty apps on societal standards. He discusses how algorithmic somaesthetics shapes our perceptions of beauty, raising ethical concerns about invasive features like cosmetic surgery recommendations. Yves explores the quantification of beauty, the role of social media filters, and how AI can objectify aesthetic ideals. He also tackles the influence of cultural subcultures on AI aesthetics and the moral implications of data collection in beauty assessments.
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Algorithmic Somaesthetics Defined
- Algorithmic somaesthetics reframes bodily aesthetics as AI-mediated representation and modification of bodies.
- Yves St. James Aquino defines it as how AI technologies shape how we view and want bodies in society.
Social Media Filters As Early Examples
- Social media filters and beauty apps let users change noses, skin tone, and blemishes before posting selfies.
- Yves St. James Aquino points to Instagram and Snapchat as early examples enabling algorithmic body edits.
Objectivization Masks Cultural Bias
- Objectivization is the claim that AI can convert subjective beauty into universal, measurable facts.
- Yves warns this masks cultural bias by treating symmetry and proportion as objective beauty truths.