Final answer:
Alain de Botton's mention of 'beautiful consonance as well as dissension and discord' implies that beauty can exist in both harmony and conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Alain de Botton speaks of 'beautiful consonance as well as dissension and discord,' he alludes to the idea that beauty can be found in harmony and agreement (consonance), as well as in conflict and disagreement (dissension and discord).
This concept implies that beauty is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, existing even within the contrasts and contradictions of life. In the context of literature and poetry, this might suggest that the beauty of a poem or story does not reside solely in its aesthetically pleasing aspects but can also be recognized in its more challenging, provocative elements.
The lines from Alexander Pope that Bono refers to reflect a similar notion, suggesting that there is a larger, harmonious design to the universe that we might not fully understand. Pope's perspective highlights the beautiful complexity of life, where even what appears to be negative or dissonant—like 'All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood'—plays a role in a grander scheme where ultimately 'whatever is, is right.'
Therefore, the mention of 'beautiful consonance as well as dissension and discord' reflects a profound appreciation for the broad spectrum of experiences and perceptions that constitute the human condition, where individuals can find beauty and meaning in seemingly conflicting situations.