Book description
I> is a revolutionary new examination of the interplay of beauty,
art, and culture in evolution. Taking inspiration from Darwin s
observation that animals have a natural aesthetic sense, philosopher and
musician David Rothenberg probes why animals, humans included, have an
innate appreciation for beauty - and why nature is, indeed, beautiful.
The peacock s tail makes me sick! said Charles Darwin. That s because
the theory of evolution as adaptation can t explain why nature is so
beautiful. It took the concept of sexual selection for Darwin to explain
that, a process that has more to do with aesthetic taste than adaptive
fitness. Survival of the Beautiful< Why Birds Sing is one of those
ramblings that transforms one of those taken-for-granted things--birds'
chirping--into let's-think-about-it-again stuff, and a worthwhile read
on a summer day. NYT on Why Birds Sing Darwin said that beauty must be
loved by nature to be found so often. Rothenberg ... embarks on a
playful, exuberant, intellectual journey... Rothenberg stalks the
mystery brilliantly LA Times on Why Birds Sing Rothenberg is passionate
and sincere, and there is something glorious about his quest New
Scientist on Thousand Mile Song I> is a revolutionary new
examination of the interplay of beauty, art, and culture in evolution.
Taking inspiration from Darwin s observation that animals have a natural
aesthetic sense, philosopher and musician David Rothenberg probes why
animals, humans included, have an innate appreciation for beauty - and
why nature is, indeed, beautiful. The peacock s tail makes me sick!
said Charles Darwin. That s because the theory of evolution as
adaptation can t explain why nature is so beautiful. It took the concept
of sexual selection for Darwin to explain that, a process that has more
to do with aesthetic taste than adaptive fitness. Survival of the
Beautiful<
