The Evolution of Beauty

How Darwin's Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World - and Us

Richard O. Prum

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"The Evolution of Beauty" by Richard O. Prum is a captivating exploration of the role of beauty in the natural world. Prum challenges traditional views by suggesting that beauty plays a vital role in evolution and has shaped life on Earth in ways that go beyond mere survival.

Through the author's rich storytelling, readers are taken on a journey spanning diverse species and environments. Prum highlights the intricacies of ornamentation and displays in animals, showcasing how they have evolved to attract mates and enhance reproductive success.

Drawing on extensive research, Prum presents compelling arguments for the idea that aesthetics in nature are not driven solely by adaptation, but instead arise through individual preferences and desires. He delves into the controversial topic of sexual selection, shedding light on the intricate connections between beauty, desire, and evolutionary processes.

Prum's thought-provoking exploration extends far beyond the natural world, linking the evolution of beauty to key aspects of human society. He challenges societal norms and questions the prevailing ideals of beauty, urging readers to reconsider their conceptions and embrace diversity.

"The Evolution of Beauty" offers an accessible and illuminating perspective on the importance of beauty in the natural world and the profound impact it has on our understanding of evolution. Prum's engaging storytelling and well-supported arguments make this book a captivating read for both scientific enthusiasts and those curious about the wonders of nature.

Explore More Books

See All
Montaigne's Essays
Nourishing Traditions
Intellectual Life in the Middle Ages
The Museum of Other People
The Smartest Guys In The Room
Tao of Philosophy
A Wrinkle in Time
Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning
You Can Be a Stock Market Genius
The Overview Effect
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
All Over but the Shoutin'
Where Do School Funds Go?
Endure
The Captive Mind
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Razor's Edge
English Culture and the Decline of the Industrial Spirit, 1850-1980
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Guns, Germs, and Steel
The Ride of a Lifetime
Creative Selection
The Alchemist
The American Story
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
The Surrender Experiment
The Experience Machine
The God Delusion
Catching the Big Fish
A Guide To Econometrics
Hackers & Painters
The Unincorporated Man
Startup
The Origin of Species
The Wisdom of Crowds
Negotiating The Impossible
Rise of the Machines
The Bully Pulpit
Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish
Rick and Morty Book Two
The New New Thing
Recapturing The Spirit Of Enterprise
The Art of Asking
The Selfish Gene
The Fountainhead
Dictionary of Untranslatables
The Book of Why
Central Banking 101
Command
Lights Out
War Nerd
The Essays of Warren Buffett
The Rational Optimist
Principles of Economics
The Humanure Handbook
P53
Digital Gold
The Advantage
The Inner Studio
Infrastructure
Foundation and Empire
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Twilight of the Bombs
Energy Myths and Realities
Q.E.D.
The Act of Creation
How to Dress an Egg
The Heart
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
Albert Einstein
Incognito
An Agricultural Testament
Mindfulness in Plain English
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Discourses on Livy
Last Chance to See
Filters Against Folly
Altars of Unhewn Stone
The Dog Stars
Eradication
Why Globalization Works
In Praise of Slowness
An Unquiet Mind
The Power To Compete
The Friction Project
A History of Knowledge
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Stalingrad
Skunk Works
We Learn Nothing
Automate This
Philosophy and Scientific Realism
The Amateur
Product Design for the Web
America's Cultural Revolution
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy
Very Good, Jeeves
The Kitchen Cookbook
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
The Power of Glamour