This book is a revolutionary new examination of the interplay of beauty, art, and culture in evolution. Taking inspiration from Charles Darwin’s observation that animals have a natural aesthetic sense, philosopher and musician David Rothenberg probes why animals, humans included, have innate appreciation for beauty and why nature is, indeed, beautiful.

“There are plenty of species that sing songs and do dances far beyond what basic biological needs might seem to require.”

David Rothenberg “Survival of the Beautiful: Art, Science and Evolution”. First published in 2011. This paperback edition was published by Bloomsbury in 2013. Bought for the Sea Library by myself 💙

Photos by Anna Iltnere / Sea Library