The evolution of sunrises? (God, easter)

[Sunstone]

Is there an evolutionary reason why sunrises and sunsets are beautiful to us? That is, it might seem on the face of it that the beauty of sunrises and sunsets serves no evolutionary purpose whatsoever. But is that the case? What do you think?

To enlarge on this question: What is the evolutionary purpose of our sense of beauty?

[fromthe heart]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Is there an evolutionary reason why sunrises and sunsets are beautiful to us? That is, it might seem on the face of it that the beauty of sunrises and sunsets serves no evolutionary purpose whatsoever. But is that the case? What do you think?

To enlarge on this question: What is the evolutionary purpose of our sense of beauty?

Personally to me it is to marvel at the beauty God has given us to brighten our lives. If you look around at all that is beautiful and go AAhhhh then it was put there for your enjoyment by God to emplify the spirit that is God.

[michel]

Hi Sunstone;
Quote:-[Is there an evolutionary reason why sunrises and sunsets are beautiful to us? That is, it might seem on the face of it that the beauty of sunrises and sunsets serves no evolutionary purpose whatsoever. But is that the case? What do you think?

To enlarge on this question: What is the evolutionary purpose of our sense of beauty?]
'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'; quite why our visual senses are satiated by the sight of sunrises and sunsets is an interesting question - I'm not sure I know the answer to that. Why should the sight of the sun, appearing over the horizon bit by bit, be so pleasurable? - Perhaps it is tied in to our 'body clocks'; the sun representing growth. Prhaps that is why we enjoy sunsets; again, our bodies need rest, and I suppose that nature is somehow geared to that.

The evolutionary purpose is obvious; growth and recuperation. The whole of life depends on the cycle of growth followed by recuperation.I remember once reading that that is why we have two nostrils, eyes, and ears - so that one is working at full power, whilst the other is 'rebuilding' its strengnth. Without the sun no plant could produce chlorophyl, and the whole life circle our world would cease; there would be no oxygen fo us to breathe, for one.

The interesting fact that emerges from your question is what happens at the poles (Where there is sunshine for six months, and then light for six months) - I have never considered that, Quite a thought................

[painted wolf]

Scientifically I would have to say that our appeciation of non-human beauty is just a natural part of our being able to empathise with others. It is part of our ability to think absractly.
*added* I also should add that as diurnal animals we rely on the sun for to see. When the sun rises in the morning it drives away darkness and thus a threat. We couldn't see the preditors that hunt in the dark. **

Otherwise, I always like the Eastern Nations explanation. The sun is reminding us to be thankfull that it is there. The sun likes to be appeciated for its work too.

wa:do

[Pah]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Is there an evolutionary reason why sunrises and sunsets are beautiful to us? That is, it might seem on the face of it that the beauty of sunrises and sunsets serves no evolutionary purpose whatsoever. But is that the case? What do you think?

To enlarge on this question: What is the evolutionary purpose of our sense of beauty?

I don't think beauty has anything to do with evolution. We learn the "beauty meme" in childhood from parents and refine it as we grow.

[TheTrendyCynic]

The colors of a sunrise are vibrant, and there could be an evolutionary explanation as to why we find vibrant colors appealing -- they represent life in the form of ripened food, health and warmth in the form of fire. Vibrancy is a strength of color, and that strength is sympathetic to whatever reason we evolved color vision in the first place: Animals respond to vibrant colors as well; male birds are brightly colored to attract mates, bees flock to bright flowers for pollination, bulls respond to bright red by charging. The sunrise, such a sweeping exhibit of colors at their most vibrant, is representative of all of those things that, instictually, we have evolved to prize.

Originally Posted by pah

We learn the "beauty meme" in childhood from parents and refine it as we grow.

I agree with you, but I think there is more to it. The beauty meme is indeed learned, but I think it is a refinement of an evolutionary appreciation of bright colors into an emotional response, as opposed to the sole source of that emotion.

[Pah]

Originally Posted by TheTrendyCynic

...
I agree with you, but I think there is more to it. The beauty meme is indeed learned, but I think it is a refinement of an evolutionary appreciation of bright colors into an emotional response, as opposed to the sole source of that emotion.

Many species can not even see color - one is blind. Many species get "horny" because of smell not sight. To say we, as a species, select for beauty, you would have to find that in species close to to us. Is that present in the apes?

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by pah

To say we, as a species, select for beauty, you would have to find that in species close to to us. Is that present in the apes?

There is the idea that humans lost their body hair as a means of sexual selection and not chasing down animals. This sounds like selecting for beauty.

[goodjewishboy]

About four years ago I was backpacking in the mountains of Whyoming, our group woke up at 4:30 in the morning to ascend a nearby peak. We reached the top to witness the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. They don't call that part of the world 'big sky country' for nothing.

[Pah]

Originally Posted by truthseekingsoul

There is the idea that humans lost their body hair as a means of sexual selection and not chasing down animals. This sounds like selecting for beauty.

I wonder why mink and sable and fox are so popular as coats and bedspreads (if you can afford them and in spite of PETA).