Aesthetics

[Prion]

Why do we have an affinity for certain things for seemingly no reason? Art is a good example (although the question isn't limited to art). Why do you prefer certain types of art, where other people have a different preference? Why even like art in the first place?

I don't have much of a clue. I assume the reason we like different types of art (in my example) is due to differences in personality that somehow effect it. I'm not sure why we even like art in the first place though, but I think it's for social reasons. To admire the artists skills and to communicate with people who like similar art...?

 

[QuickTwist]

Art is an advanced concept. I think part of it is that we have adapted to connect our subconscious with our consciousness. To provoke a feeling is what the goal is for an artist. Getting a sense of a particular feeling is a way to connect our conscious mind with our subconscious. When this happens we become more aware of ourselves which can make us more intelligent there by making us more complete.

 

[Black Rose]

Art can move you to tears of pure joy. It can be cute and gives you warm fuzzes inside. Music is art and very emotional at times. A story with deep meaning and profound insight into human nature. A sense of awe, wonder and mystery. Divinely inspired if it touches your core essence with its impression. Hummer and fun. Life lived in accordance with natural law.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Many animals prefer mates with symmetrical features. In mammals, superficial things like hair and fur coloration deviate from this somewhat, but, in primates in particular, symmetrical features seem to correlate with things like being free from parasites, infections, or disease. Given how ancient symmetry preference seems to be, it's no surprise that many of us find symmetry to be pleasing aesthetically.

I would expect that there are some other evolutionary explanations for the origins of some of our other aesthetic tastes as well.

However, with our vast brains, we have been able to unshackle our tastes from their origins. So, we can find aesthetic pleasure in a great many things. I find this to be more interesting but don't have much to add to it.

I wouldn't be surprised to find connections to psychology, however.

 

[Opium]

Why do we have an affinity for certain things for seemingly no reason? Art is a good example (although the question isn't limited to art). Why do you prefer certain types of art, where other people have a different preference? Why even like art in the first place?

I don't have much of a clue. I assume the reason we like different types of art (in my example) is due to differences in personality that somehow effect it. I'm not sure why we even like art in the first place though, but I think it's for social reasons. To admire the artists skills and to communicate with people who like similar art...?

Necessity perhaps? I think art (chronologically) followed engineering and helped developed the first economies.

Explanation: If there was a lack of something in pre-recorded history, it had to be built. From there, if I use an example of a house, it had to be adapted to the climate or simply improved upon. Some would be better at this than others. And each individual would do things differently by natural default and physical strengths and weaknesses. (Two Impressionist painters can paint the same flower, and it could be done in two vastly different styles.)
And that's just a beginning of the variables possible.

Anyway, the houses of an area and peoples would start to develop a look, an aesthetic initially based on need. And all the variations of the various builders of houses will become apparent. As time passes there will be different needs of the owners and this too will influence how the structure is built, bringing in the personal preferences of people beyond strict necessity. As to the economy thing, if X can build my house better than I can, why not bribe pay him to?

I'd guess that art was the evolution and refinement of necessary things until the environment of the artist/engineers and people was secure enough for it to be expanded into things that are not strictly necessary, but nice to have anyway. To be overly dramatic, "Art is Progress!"

Just an, unrefined, theory.

Regards,
Opium.