On 10/4/11 5:53 PM, Jim Devine wrote:
> Fourth, whatever one thinks of Jared Diamond, I think it's inaccurate
> to call him a "sociobiologist" even though he does apply Darwinian
> theory at times (see his _Why Is Sex Fun?_). His big book (_Guns,
> Germs, and Steel_) isn't sociobiology, nor is his lesser big book
> (_Collapse_).
Jim, the sociobiology is in "Third Chimpanzee":
Diamond proposes that the elaborate bowers constructed by the male
bowerbird, a species native to New Guinea and Australia, establish his
case since the female bird inevitably gravitates to the male with the
most ambitious bowers. In human terms, this would be equivalent to Pablo
Picasso who was reputed to have changed wives as often as he changed
painting styles.
Needless to say, this understanding of the evolutionary psychology role
of art is somewhat male-oriented. As Diamond puts it:
First, art brings direct sexual benefits to its owner. It’s not just a
joke that a man bent on seduction invites a woman to view his etchings.
In real life, dance and music and poetry are common preludes to sex.
Second, and much more important, art brings indirect benefits to its
owner. Art is a quick indicator of status, which—in human as animal
societies—is a key to acquiring food, land, and sex partners.
In a nutshell, this might be described as the evolutionary psychology
version of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Philosophy.
full:
http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/evolutionary-psychology-and-art/
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