Serialised book (with a progressively updated >>dashboard/ToC<< page). Part II: Philosophy of the Life Instinct
Book: Philosophy of Life Instinct: Chapter 21: Art
Utility and nobility
What happens when my brain converts the sound vibrations of a Mozart sonata or Maria Callas aria into electrical signals and experiences them? Why does it generate such a nice feeling?
The enjoyment does not need anyone else to be present, not even the performer. But, besides making me happy, it does not do anything, for example, provide me with information.
Consider a musical piece by Debussy, a painting by Monet, or the one below by Constable.
It is unlikely that such a complex trait as the enjoyment of what we call Art would be an accident of the Life Instinct (see Chapter 4). So why have we evolved to experience specific combinations and sequences of sounds and images with rewards in the pleasure centres of our brains? What does it do for human life?
From our journey with the Life Instinct till now in this book and observations about the creation, experience and…
