Why does Hölderlin think that beauty precedes philosophy?

Friedrich Hölderlin, a German poet and philosopher, believed that beauty precedes philosophy because it is through the perception of beauty that we begin to question and understand the world around us. Here are the steps to understand his thought:

1. Perception of Beauty: Hölderlin believed that our first interaction with the world is through our senses, and it is through this sensory perception that we first encounter beauty. This could be in the form of a beautiful landscape, a piece of art, or even a profound experience.

2. Questioning: Once we perceive something as beautiful, we begin to question why it is beautiful. This questioning is the beginning of philosophical thought. We start to ponder about the nature of beauty, its origins, and why it affects us the way it does.

3. Understanding: Through this questioning, we begin to understand the world around us. We start to form theories and ideas about beauty and its relation to other aspects of life. This understanding is the basis of philosophy.

4. Philosophy: Finally, through our understanding, we form a philosophy. This philosophy is a result of our initial perception of beauty and the subsequent questioning and understanding.

Therefore, according to Hölderlin, beauty precedes philosophy because it is the initial perception of beauty that sparks the questioning and understanding that leads to philosophy.