Riyadh: A panel discussion titled "The Future of Beauty," presented by Dr. John Armstrong at the Riyadh International Philosophy Conference 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, highlighted the profound relationship between beauty and wisdom and the role of aesthetic experience in developing human self-awareness and awareness of the world. The conference theme was "Philosophy Between East and West: Concepts, Origins, and Mutual Influences."

According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Armstrong described beauty as a human experience that reflects engagement with simple images and elements, such as the curves of sand dunes or the lines of a wooden table. He noted that "beauty exists within us as much as in the world around us."

He referenced English philosopher Roger Scruton's conception of beauty, which views the subtle curves in natural and man-made objects as a profound harmony that touches the human soul. Dr. Armstrong emphasized that contemplating beauty triggers a cognitive process that deepens understanding of life, characterizing the aesthetic experience as "a gateway to life's wisdom."