Why do we find things aesthetically pleasing/find beauty in non-sexual objects?

[Terran]

I have always wondered this and am completely ignorant as to why. I can't see an evolutionary advantage, nor any obvious links with things such as a sunset and sexual attraction, so what is it?

 

[Tannhauser]

Is a sunset aesthetically pleasing though, or is it just some sort of feeling of calmness and well-being to look at it?

 

[Terran]

Maybe, but we certainly see beauty in other things, paintings are a perfect example. We find things such as lighting and colour beautiful do we not?

 

[Cipher]

Same goes for music, doesn't it?
Maybe it's just some random side effect of other cognitive processes/structures.

 

[Terran]

Same goes for music, doesn't it?
Maybe it's just some random side effect of other cognitive processes/structures.

I wish I knew more about it, stuff like this make me want to study psychology.

 

[Nebulous]

Respect, marvel, awe; being amazed that such complex and fascinating things exist.

 

[QuickTwist]

Who says its not sexual, what beauty we find outside of direct sexuality?

 

[Cognisant]

I think the sunrise/sunset is a stupidity trap, a filter for the gene pool, a lot of large predators are most active in the dawn/evening and any human not sufficiently cognizant of that fact will be the first to die while staring awestruck at the sunrise/sunset.

 

[Black Rose]

I think the sunrise/sunset is a stupidity trap, a filter for the gene pool, a lot of large predators are most active in the dawn/evening and any human not sufficiently cognizant of that fact will be the first to die while staring awestruck at the sunrise/sunset.

What if "Man" is the last great predator?

Great enough to be sheltered from himself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balcony

 

[Cognisant]

Suuuuuuure.

Spoiler

 

[Terran]

I think the sunrise/sunset is a stupidity trap, a filter for the gene pool, a lot of large predators are most active in the dawn/evening and any human not sufficiently cognizant of that fact will be the first to die while staring awestruck at the sunrise/sunset.

Or maybe it is a way our subconscious directs the brain into recognising sunrise and sunsets as an event. So we will be more likely to change our routines at that time. Don't really know what you mean about the "stupidity trap" we wouldn't have inherited it if that was the case.

But I think I should retract the sunset example, I just meant our ability to find beauty in aesthetic things such as art.

 

[Fukyo]

It's an interesting question, but things don't have to be beneficial in a sense that pertains directly to sexual selection to have come to be via evolution.

I think our ability for aesthetic appreciation arises from our ability for abstract thinking.

 

[Ex-User (11125)]

I think the sunrise/sunset is a stupidity trap, a filter for the gene pool, a lot of large predators are most active in the dawn/evening and any human not sufficiently cognizant of that fact will be the first to die while staring awestruck at the sunrise/sunset.

how do I delete my account pls

I think sunrise and sunset are "pleasing" because of the kaledioscope of colours from the warmer part of the visible light spectrum and so the scenery recalls feeling of warmth, that combined with the transience of the scenery that recalls passing time...and also the silence during those hours...yada yada

 

[Cipher]

I found this talk to be quite interesting.

https://www.ted.com/talks/denis_dutton_a_darwinian_theory_of_beauty

 

[QuickTwist]

It's an interesting question, but things don't have to be beneficial in a sense that pertains directly to sexual selection to have come to be via evolution.

I think our ability for aesthetic appreciation arises from our ability for abstract thinking.

There is a certain mysticism that the human can appreciate about nature in a manner of awe and respect.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I don't think every element of human existence can or should be explained with regard to evolutionary advantage, fitness and sexual attraction. There are certainly traits that neither help nor harm and some that only can be analysed with regards to multiple processes or society.

Aesthetics are connected to ethics and morality. They are developed during socialisation, they usually are conforming to the predominant cultural values and beliefs extant in the environment and anchor one to the crowd of other similarly minded people one is a part of.

Religious experiences or awe is another part of this common social worldview and shared values.

Based on this there's an advantage, because it's easier to bond with like-minded humans, form groups and tribes and protect resources against different groups.

 

[cheese]

Aren't we drawn to colours, vibrancy and symmetry because it's generally advantageous for picking out healthy mates and healthy food? We respond with pleasure to some stimuli which drives us to seek it out more. This responsiveness to certain configurations of stimuli which could be broadly categorised as "beautiful" is co-opted by art and other things irrelevant to food/sex. The response mechanism (excitement, pleasure, drive) is there regardless of what it's being used for by the individual human. People who are particularly sensitive to beauty tend to be sensitive across the spectrum, and have stronger distaste for ugliness as well, further underscoring the point that the key issue is our responsiveness and not any external object's nutritious/sexual value to us.

We like pretty things (symmetry, colour, grace) because they tend to be genetically fitter - goes beyond sex to include food.
Other things which possess these qualities (like a sunset) will induce the same response in us.
People can have higher or lower sensitivity to the same stimuli.

Rough morning thoughts - hope they make sense.

 

[Terran]

I found this talk to be quite interesting.

https://www.ted.com/talks/denis_dutton_a_darwinian_theory_of_beauty

That was very good, exactly the kind of insight I was looking for, thanks!

 

[synthesize]

I have always wondered this and am completely ignorant as to why. I can't see an evolutionary advantage, nor any obvious links with things such as a sunset and sexual attraction, so what is it?

It sounds like you're assuming that evolution must occur strictly for the sake of survival.

The physiology of the human organism has not altered since the emergence of homo sapiens, roughly 200,00 years ago. But our minds have evolved, so has our language, our culture, our art, our technology, etc. The human spirit now seems to be the focus of the evolutionary process.

Gazing upon an enamoring work of Von Gogh or listening to an overture by Tchaikovsky can invoke moments of selflessness. Moments when our egos drop away, and we see something greater than our individual existence. These ephemeral moments of beauty satisfy our spiritual needs, something religion has attempted but has utterly failed to accomplish.

 

[Artsu Tharaz]

Because Archetypes, duh!

 

[ruminator]

I would expand your title to include humans as well. I think there are two types of attraction we feel to other humans, sexual - derived from our hormones/carnal instincts, and aesthetic - derived from our mind. Sometimes, the two conflict.