Evolutionary Origin of our Aesthetic Sense

Patrick Das Gupta

Department of Physics and Astrophysics,
University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007 (India)

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 The scenic beauty of Nature fills one with bliss and tranquility. The aesthetics of flowers
and their fragrance, the melody of the sound of indian koel and nightingale, the rhythm of a
gurgling brook, the magnificient arch of a rainbow and so on, captivate us with their beauty.
Is there a scientific reason as to why we are irresistibly drawn to Nature?
There may be an evolutionary significance to our innate sense of appreciating music and
art. The instinct of getting attracted to the singing of a bird possibly increased the survival
probability of human beings in the prehistoric times, since it led them to newer pastures
and fertile land where food and water were abundant.
This suggests that may be appreciation of music and art is hard wired in our brain. The
string of notes that is similar to the chirping of a song-bird gives us pleasure because of
its mental association with spring, flora, water etc. dating back to early man’s struggle for
survival when he was a hunter-gatherer. Our fondness for colour and visual aesthetics is
possibly linked with early man’s instinct to quickly spot fruits of different hues, lush green
vegetation, crystal blue rivers or inimical animals hiding behind bushy growths, for his own
survival.
It is all in our genes! Then, this instinctive appreciation of song-bird notes and colourful
splendours of flora and fauna, and of rainbows, has grown in its complexity and sophistication
over thousands of years of human civilization, through interventions of genious painters and
gifted musicians, and through works of academic scholars and art critics.
To sum it up in a nutshell, it may be that music affects our mood because it is intimately
connected to cooing of song-birds, tinkling sound of a brook (”...uchchala jaladhi taranga
...” in Tagore’s words) etc. from prehistoric times. Our ancestors who could pick up these
sounds from a distance had an evolutionary advantage as they could locate food, water
and possibly their mates. Prehistoric men and women who were sensitive to these natural
sounds (having a pattern or melody) had a higher probability of survival. Their offspring
too stood a greater chance of survival, since these sensitive ancestors could bring them up
with adequate nourishments, care and affection. This argument can form a basis for the
deep connection between love and music.
Such analysis in no way diminishes our enchantment with Art. Rather, it enhances
Art’s seductive charm and elegance. Scientific curiosity, analysis and research themselves
are a source of aesthetics and happiness. Both science and art are a result of creative
interpretation of Nature. Creativity is the anchor that holds science and art to the meaning

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of human existence. In this sense, there is a subtle harmony amidst Science and Art, and
when there occurs a resonance between the duo, a great discovery is made!