Question
Umberto Eco claimed that this concept “is more interesting than” its opposite, because “everybody knows” what that opposite is. For 10 points each:
[10h] Eco’s 2007 book on what concept discusses paintings of Sylvia von Harden and builds on his 2004 history of its opposite? The first treatise dedicated to this concept is the Aesthetic of [this concept] by Hegel’s biographer Karl Rosencranz.
ANSWER: ugliness [or hässlichen or bruttezza; accept On Ugliness or Storia della bruttezza; accept Aesthetic of Ugliness or Aesthetik des Hässlichen]
[10e] Before Eco, this philosopher said, “When everyone knows what beauty is, there must also be ugliness.” A school of thought founded by this philosopher believes that “all things carry yin and embrace yang.”
ANSWER: Laozi [or Lao tzu; or Li Er; or Li Dan; accept Boyang; or Master Lao; or Lao Dan]
[10m] This essay argues that if you look at a creature who represents men’s fear of female desire, you’ll realize that “she’s not deadly. She’s beautiful and she’s laughing.” This essay by Hélène Cixous (“ay-LEN sik-SOO”) calls for women to develop écriture féminine, or feminine writing.
ANSWER: “The Laugh of the Medusa” [or “Le Rire de la Méduse”]
<JC, Philosophy (Any/Other)>
Data
Summary
| Tournament | Edition | Exact Match? | Heard | PPB | Easy % | Medium % | Hard % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RMP Fest Online Mirror | 05/31/25 | Y | 4 | 17.50 | 75% | 75% | 25% |
| 2025 RMP Fest Carleton Mirror | 07/13/25 | Y | 3 | 13.33 | 100% | 33% | 0% |
| 2025 RMP Fest CO Mirror | 08/10/25 | Y | 6 | 25.00 | 83% | 100% | 67% |