We do not know how other people perceive us. In the extremes, this can breed self-consciousness, or it can breed cockiness. Neither warrants much praise. Think about it. Looks, in the abstract sense, will make a significant impact on a person’s outlook in life, more than they would like to admit. If people truly perceive a person as looking great, then what harm is done?
This all diverts itself to the misconception that looks are shallow. Ethics will teach us that beauty is only skin deep. All true, very true; but only to an extent. “Looking great” and being beautiful are two separate ideas, as beauty is largely subjective. However, looking great is a matter of culture and place. It can be concluded that, in our times, one will consider a man in a business suit to be affluent, or at least employed. But he does not have to be handsome. This analogy of the business suit points out an undeniable human competent: the instant interpretation of our surroundings. This is neither shallow nor avoidable.
This is the way of the physical universe.
There exist general standards of looking great. Since the term lends itself some vagueness,...