The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution

In conversation with Michael Shermer, the Skeptic Society

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

ALOUD

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Episode Summary

Combining two fascinating and contentious disciplines -- art and evolutionary science -- a philosopher, professor and founder/editor of the popular Arts & Letter Daily, argues that human tastes in art are shaped by Darwinian selection.

Participant(s) Bio

Denis Dutton was born in Los Angeles and grew up in a family of bibliophiles, including brothers Dave and Doug, owners of bookstores in North Hollywood and Brentwood. For over twenty years he has been a professor of the philosophy of art at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Beyond his many publications in philosophy and aesthetics, Denis is founder and editor of the hugely popular website "Arts & Letters Daily," named by The Guardian as the best website in the world.

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