Admiration can lead to devotion and veneration .
Admiration is the act of admiring . This verb (admire) has multiple uses: it can refer to contemplate ; to value something or someone in a very positive way; or to cause surprise due to an unexpected factor or an extraordinary condition.
Admiration can be associated with fascination , respect or amazement . The specific meaning of the term, which comes from the Latin word admiratio , depends on the context.
Admiration as recognition
It is common for the idea of admiration to be linked to recognition of someone who is considered excellent. In this sense, people, objects, landscapes, etc. are admired. that have outstanding qualities .
When admiration is directed at an individual, one thinks or feels that the subject in question is superior in a certain way. We admire those who can do things that we cannot, generally because they do not have their talent , ability, skill , aptitude or knowledge.
There is, therefore, a special appreciation and valuation. Admiration can be expressed through acclamation , praise or even praise . The exceptional provokes a delight that often leads to inspiration or even gratitude .
Entertainment industry celebrities and sports idols often arouse admiration.
Idolatry of artists and athletes
Nowadays, admiration usually goes to artists and athletes who achieve fame for their ability . These stars, with their mastery, cause dazzling.
Before moving forward, it must be considered that admiration is born from subjectivity . One person may consider a painter to be a prodigy of the plastic arts who masterfully creates paintings, while another may believe that the same artist lacks virtues and has limited ability.
Take the case of John Lennon . The English musician, murdered in 1980 , is often admired for his excellence as a composer and the greatness of his songs. More than four decades after his death, his genius continues to be highlighted today. However, there may be someone who thinks he is an overrated musician.
The Argentine footballer Lionel Messi also arouses admiration. Sports lovers often claim that Messi is a genius who works wonders on the playing field. In fact, at the end of the matches it is common for him to receive a standing ovation and for the public to express their affection with shouts, songs and bows.
In the case of the sports field, beyond the subjective components, admiration can be based on concrete data. Messi , for example, won the Spanish League ten times and the European Champions League four times with FC Barcelona , in addition to the French Ligue 1 with PSG . With the Argentine team, meanwhile, he became champion of America in 2021 and of the world in 2022 . That is why its popularity has an objective justification.
Virtuoso musicians who generate emotion with their performances provoke admiration.
Admiration for values
Admiration can arise from the moral values that a man or woman demonstrates. Grandiosity or prestige , in this framework, is given by the nobility of the acts and the integrity of the character.
Suppose that an 80-year-old woman intends to complete her secondary education, which she had to abandon at the time to dedicate herself to raising her children. With a lot of effort and dedication, the woman finally achieves her goal. Her determination and perseverance provoke admiration in all who know her.
Now imagine that a father discovers that his 23-year-old son stole from a neighbor. Faced with this reality, the man returns what was stolen to its owner and hands his descendant over to the police. It is possible to feel admiration for the integrity of this father who, despite his pain, acts in an honorable way and makes his descendant take responsibility for his actions.
The concept in philosophy
The concept of admiration has great relevance in philosophy , considering its meaning as contemplation or observation . When admiring, the individual places his gaze on a certain reality or on an element; In this way, admiration is indispensable for philosophizing.
It takes fascination or dazzle to stop and admire something. Only what is admired can be apprehended.
It must be taken into account that philosophy asks about the origin and meaning of things. When a phenomenon moves or affects, it gives way to admiration and philosophical reflection .
Negative effects of admiration
In a certain way, admiration works like a charm or spell . The positive impression that a person can cause sometimes ends up masking characteristics that are not positive or that can even be harmful.
A young man may admire his girlfriend for her aesthetic qualities and her intellectual capacity . His partner, however, is often distant and aggressive towards him. Although this attitude is not healthy in a romantic relationship, the admiration that the boy feels leads him to not perceive that reality.
Nor can we fail to mention that, due to marketing, we tend to admire people who stand out for their beauty or their economic wealth. To represent success or happiness, for example, advertisements show young models with sculptural bodies. This promotes admiration based on superficial issues .