On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction

摘要: A century and a half after the publication of "Origin Species", evolutionary thinking has expanded beyond field biology to include virtually all human-related subjects - anthropology, archeology, psychology, economics, religion, morality, politics, culture, art. Now distinguished scholar offers first comprehensive account origins art storytelling. Brian Boyd explains why we tell stories, how our minds are shaped understand them, what difference an understanding human nature makes stories love. Art is specifically adaptation, argues. It tangible advantages for survival, it derives from play, itself adaptation widespread among more intelligent animals. More particularly, fondness storytelling sharpened social cognition, encouraged cooperation, fostered creativity. After considering as examines Homer's "Odyssey" Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears Who!" demonstrating lens can offer new appreciation specific works. What triggers emotional engagement with these works? patterns facilitate responses? The need hold audience's attention, underscores, fundamental problem facing storytellers. Enduring artists arrive at solutions that appeal cognitive universals: insight out step contemporary criticism, which obscures both individual universal. Published bicentenary Darwin's birth 150th anniversary Boyd's study embraces Darwinian view art, credo humanism.