The Indispensable Excess of the Aesthetic

Evolution of Sensibility in Nature

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Pragmatism, Aesthetics, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution
Cover of the book The Indispensable Excess of the Aesthetic by Katya Mandoki, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Katya Mandoki ISBN: 9781498503075
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: July 15, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Katya Mandoki
ISBN: 9781498503075
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: July 15, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The**Indispensable Excess of the Aesthetic: Evolution of Sensibility in Nature traces the evolution of sensibility from the most primal indications detectable at the level of cellular receptors and plant tendril sensitivity, animal creativity and play to cultural ramifications. Taking on Darwin’s insistence against Wallace that animals do have a sense of beauty, and on recent evolutionary observations, this book compellingly argues that sensibility is a biological faculty that emerges together with life. It argues that there is appreciation and discernment of quality, order, and meaning by organisms in various species determined by their morphological adaptations and environmental conditions. Drawing upon Baumgarten’s foundational definition of aesthetics as scientia cognitionis sensitivae, this book proposes a non-anthropocentric approach to aesthetics as well as the use of empirical evidence to sustain its claims updating aesthetic understanding with contemporary biosemiotic and evolutionary theory. The text leads us along three distinct but entwined areas: from the world of matter to that of living matter to the realm of cultivated living matter for exploring how and why sensibility could have evolved. It points out that aspects traditionally used to demarcate and characterize human aesthetics—such as appreciation of symmetry, proportion and color, as well as pleasure, valuation and empathy, sensory seduction, creativity, and skills for representation, even fiction—are present not only in humans but among a variety of plant and animal species.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The**Indispensable Excess of the Aesthetic: Evolution of Sensibility in Nature traces the evolution of sensibility from the most primal indications detectable at the level of cellular receptors and plant tendril sensitivity, animal creativity and play to cultural ramifications. Taking on Darwin’s insistence against Wallace that animals do have a sense of beauty, and on recent evolutionary observations, this book compellingly argues that sensibility is a biological faculty that emerges together with life. It argues that there is appreciation and discernment of quality, order, and meaning by organisms in various species determined by their morphological adaptations and environmental conditions. Drawing upon Baumgarten’s foundational definition of aesthetics as scientia cognitionis sensitivae, this book proposes a non-anthropocentric approach to aesthetics as well as the use of empirical evidence to sustain its claims updating aesthetic understanding with contemporary biosemiotic and evolutionary theory. The text leads us along three distinct but entwined areas: from the world of matter to that of living matter to the realm of cultivated living matter for exploring how and why sensibility could have evolved. It points out that aspects traditionally used to demarcate and characterize human aesthetics—such as appreciation of symmetry, proportion and color, as well as pleasure, valuation and empathy, sensory seduction, creativity, and skills for representation, even fiction—are present not only in humans but among a variety of plant and animal species.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Global Capitalist Crisis and the Second Great Depression by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book The United Church of Christ in the Shenandoah Valley by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Religion, Flesh, and Blood by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Negotiating Development in Muslim Societies by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Jan Hus between Time and Eternity by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Women Officeholders and the Role Models Who Pioneered the Way by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Anthropological Research Framing for Archaeological Geophysics by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Institutionalizing Gender Equality by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Conflict Resolution by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Rastafari Reasoning and the RastaWoman by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Amritsar 1984 by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Ethos Clash in Israeli Society by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book Breaking Away by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book The Case for Gridlock by Katya Mandoki
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Christopher Nolan by Katya Mandoki
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy