Items related to Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare: How Evolution Shapes...

Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare: How Evolution Shapes Our Loves and Fears - Hardcover

  • 3.6 out of 5 stars
    242 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780226003238: Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare: How Evolution Shapes Our Loves and Fears

Synopsis

Our breath catches and we jump in fear at the sight of a snake. We pause and marvel at the sublime beauty of a sunrise. These reactions are no accident; in fact, many of our human responses to nature are steeped in our deep evolutionary past―we fear snakes because of the danger of venom or constriction, and we welcome the assurances of the sunrise as the predatory dangers of the dark night disappear. Many of our aesthetic preferences―from the kinds of gardens we build to the foods we enjoy and the entertainment we seek―are the lingering result of natural selection.

In this ambitious and unusual work, evolutionary biologist Gordon H. Orians explores the role of evolution in human responses to the environment, beginning with why we have emotions and ending with evolutionary approaches to aesthetics. Orians reveals how our emotional lives today are shaped by decisions our ancestors made centuries ago on African savannas as they selected places to live, sought food and safety, and socialized in small hunter-gatherer groups.  During this time our likes and dislikes became wired in our brains, as the appropriate responses to the environment meant the difference between survival or death. His rich analysis explains why we mimic the tropical savannas of our ancestors in our parks and gardens, why we are simultaneously attracted to danger and approach it cautiously, and how paying close attention to nature’s sounds has resulted in us being an unusually musical species.  We also learn why we have developed discriminating palates for wine, and why we have strong reactions to some odors, and why we enjoy classifying almost everything.

By applying biological perspectives ranging from Darwin to current neuroscience to analyses of our aesthetic preferences for landscapes, sounds, smells, plants, and animals, Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare transforms how we view our experience of the natural world and how we relate to each other.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Gordon H. Orians lives in Seattle, where he is professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington. He is the author or editor of several books, including, most recently, Red-Winged Blackbirds: Decision-making and Reproductive Success and Life:  The Science of Biology.

Review

“Gordon Orians’s book provides great insight and understanding of the role of human evolution in our species emotions and behaviors.  It extends his pioneering work in evolutionary biology to many aspects of human activity that includes our preferences, predilections, fears, hopes, and aspirations.  We recognize in this book how our ecological mind has meshed with our cultural and creative selves to produce our distinctive species.”
(Stephen R. Kellert, author of Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World)

“No scholar better understands the intimate linkage between evolutionary biology and the human condition, and none has expressed it in a more interesting and well illustrated manner than Orians.” (Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University)

“One of the most interesting and surprising ideas I have ever come across is that what biologists call ‘habitat selection’ is the same as what artists and landscape architects call ‘environmental aesthetics.’ The human eye for beauty is not an inexplicable preference for arbitrary shapes and colors but may be explained as an instinct for choosing surroundings that are safe, healthful, and informative. The eminent zoologist Gordon Orians, who originated this powerful idea, now treats us to a cornucopia of hypotheses on why certain things please the eye, ear, and tongue and others terrify, repel, or disgust them. This is a lovely contribution to our understanding of aesthetics and should keep scientists, artists, and humanities scholars debating its ideas for years to come.” (Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature)

“ A neat, thought-provoking volume.” (New Scientist)

“Orians argues that our emotional responses to aesthetics in nature are hardwired and an evolutionary legacy of our animal origins. Here, he explores the relationship between our ‘ghosts of environments past’ and our view of the world.” (Times Higher Education)

“Orians has written a concise, thoughtful, and stimulating analysis of the human connectedness to nature and other organisms. Through clear writing and diverse examples, he hypothesizes and demonstrates how various forces markedly affected human evolution and shaped human nature. Readers will be better informed and sensitized regarding who humans are in their lengthy behavioral adaptations and development. . . . Highly recommended.” (Choice)

“By applying biological perspectives ranging from Darwin to current neuroscience to analyses of our aesthetic preferences for landscapes, sounds, smells, plants, and animals, Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare transforms how we view our experience of the natural world and how we relate to each other.”
  (Birdbooker Report)

"The book has considerable substance, with Orians bringing an unusually specific set of predictions and methods to these issues—for instance, in carefully measuring various features of different types of trees and relating these to evolutionarily canalized aesthetic judgments. Having read this book, I now think about trees in a completely different way (high praise)." (Neuroaesthetics)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherUniversity of Chicago Press
  • Publication date2014
  • ISBN 10 022600323X
  • ISBN 13 9780226003238
  • BindingHardcover
  • Number of pages224
  • Rating
    • 3.6 out of 5 stars
      242 ratings by Goodreads

Buy Used

Condition: Very Good
Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction... Learn more about this copy

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to basket

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780226271828: Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare: How Evolution Shapes Our Loves and Fears

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  022627182X ISBN 13:  9780226271828
Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2015
Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Illustrated. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 022600323X-8-1

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.48
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # L20N-00943

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.79
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 12274833-6

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.91
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 11-022600323x-G

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.25
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR010085840

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 4.58
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.39
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Very Good - Crisp, clean, unread book with some shelfwear/edgewear, may have a remainder mark - NICE Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M022600323XZ2

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.40
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 3 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M022600323XZ3

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.42
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 4 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: TextbookRush, Grandview Heights, OH, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Expedited orders RECEIVED in 1-5 business days within the United States. Orders ship SAME or NEXT business day. We proudly ship to APO/FPO addresses. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!. Seller Inventory # 42955092

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 13.59
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Gordon H. Orians
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Pelican Bay Books, Anacortes, WA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 110520

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 11.45
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 8.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Orians, Gordon H.
Published by University of Chicago Press, 2014
ISBN 10: 022600323X ISBN 13: 9780226003238
Used Hardcover

Seller: Michael Patrick McCarty, Bookseller, New Castle, CO, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. In this ambitious and unusual work, evolutionary biologist Gordon H. Orians explores the role of evolution in human responses to the environment, beginning with why we have emotions and ending with evolutionary approaches to aesthetics. Orians reveals how our emotional lives today are shaped by decisions our ancestors made centuries ago on African savannas as they selected places to live, sought food and safety, and socialized in small hunter-gatherer groups. During this time our likes and dislikes became wired in our brains, as the appropriate responses to the environment meant the difference between survival or death. His rich analysis explains why we mimic the tropical savannas of our ancestors in our parks and gardens, why we are simultaneously attracted to danger and approach it cautiously, and how paying close attention to nature?s sounds has resulted in us being an unusually musical species. We also learn why we have developed discriminating palates for wine, and why we have strong reactions to some odors, and why we enjoy classifying almost everything.By applying biological perspectives ranging from Darwin to current neuroscience to analyses of our aesthetic preferences for landscapes, sounds, smells, plants, and animals, Snakes, Sunrises, and Shakespeare transforms how we view our experience of the natural world and how we relate to each other. Seller Inventory # SKU2010028063

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 14.95
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 5.95
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

There are 25 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book