by ciderman_nz » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:42 pm
Even amongst the religious members here , (aside from those who believe 'creation' happened 6000 years ago, perpetrated by a big guy in a long white gown and with a beard), acceptance of evolution is normal. For most human advances, if you can call them that, one can see an obvious method and reason. Beauty in the case of a mate might be directed by a perception of fertility, thereby increasing chances of progeny and spreading the genes more. Beauty of a flower, bright colours attract insects to pollinate, again projection of genes. But how about a sunset, a painting, a majestic snow capped mountain scene? Why are we sometimes in awe of these efforts? I can see no evolutionary gain in them, but we like them.
Civilisation is a veneer, easily soluble in alcohol.