The aesthetic -- The nature of art -- The theory of evolution -- How might the aesthetic, art, and evolution be related? -- Humans' aesthetic appreciation of nonhuman animals -- Landscape aesthetics -- The aesthetics of human beauty -- General theories of art as an adaptation and the origins of art -- Art as a spandrel -- Art as a technology -- Arts as adaptations
Stephen Davies explores the idea that art, and our aesthetic sensibilities more generally, should be understood as an element in human evolution. He asks: Do animals have aesthetics? Do our aesthetic preferences have prehistoric roots? Is art universal? What is the biological role of aesthetic and artistic behaviour?
