Why Is the World So Beautiful?

• Utgivningsdatum: 2026-10-06
• Mått: 133 x 203 x 19 mm
• Vikt: 332 g
• Format: Inbunden
• Språk: Engelska
• Antal sidor: 216
• Förlag: MIT Press Ltd
• ISBN: 9780262056588

• Kognitiv psykologi
• Biologisk psykologi och neuropsykologi
• Biovetenskap
• Filosofiska discipliner

Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the London School of Economics, is a theoretical psychologist based in Cambridge who studies the evolution of intelligence and consciousness. He was the first to demonstrate the existence of “blindsight” in monkeys. He has also studied mountain gorillas with Dian Fossey in Rwanda, proposed the celebrated theory of the “social function of intellect,” and investigated the evolutionary background of religion, art, healing, death awareness, and suicide. In 2026, Humphrey was awarded the Dennett Prize by the International Center for Consciousness Studies. His additional honors include the Martin Luther King Memorial Prize, the Pufendorf Medal, and the International Mind and Brain Prize. His most recent book is Sentience (MIT Press).

REVIEWS“An edifying rumination on why beauty abounds.”—Publishers Weekly"In this roving study, neuropsychologist Humphrey interrogates why the human mind perceives beauty." —The Millions"The book is a fascinating exploration of the role that beauty plays in human psychology and evolution."—Nautilus"Just what the field needs."—The ConservationENDORSEMENTS"This is an exhilarating book. Nicholas Humphrey has always dared to extend neuroscience into other areas, such as philosophy and even poetry. Here he explores his core idea of rhyme as the key not just to our experience of beauty but to our whole understanding of the world. He writes clearly and beautifully, with an infectious optimism which sees humans and the earth as two notes in tune, rather than as despoiler and despoiled. He even suggests (I think) that since we are universally moved to see a designer behind every design, there’s sense in doing so about the world. Philosophers haven’t agreed, but Humphrey is as happy to challenge philosophers as scientists. What larks! – He quotes Dickens too, and many other writers and artists. This is science as we don’t often see it." —Carole Angier, award-winning biographer of Jean Rhys, Primo Levi and W G Sebald“Nicholas Humphrey has made major contributions to our understanding of topics that range across psychology, evolutionary theory, consciousness, and theory of mind. Now we can add Why Is the World So Beautiful? He tackles a topic that has been central to philosophizing since Plato but has never before been subjected to this particular intense combination of rigorous empirical examination and sharp philosophical analysis. A splendid book: provocative, passionate, and to a remarkable degree persuasive.”—Sir Geoffrey Lloyd, Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge“Humphrey’s skills as an expositor on the science/philosophy interface shine through here. He doesn’t definitively answer the question in the title—nobody could! But he offers insights that will deepen any reader’s understanding of the issues.”—Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal; Member of the UK’s House of Lords; former President of the Royal Society“In answer to the question ‘What is the essence of beauty?’ Humphrey offers a bold and compelling answer: our aesthetic instincts are shaped by an innate sensitivity to rhyme—not just in poetry, but in the echoes, patterns, and symmetries that pervade the visual, auditory, and even conceptual realms. This is an illuminating and deeply thought-provoking exploration—one that will reshape how we understand aesthetics, evolution, and the very nature of human experience.”—Paul Broks, neuropsychologist; author of The Darker the Night, the Brighter the Stars“Nicholas Humphrey’s enquiry into the nature of beauty is full of fresh insights. His emphasis on rhyme has primed me to look at flowers and trees anew and hear Bach’s music better. I am grateful for this sparklingly original book.”—Rupert Sheldrake, biologist; author of Science Set Free"Nicholas Humphrey is our Darwin of the human mind."—Stephen Palmer, musician, novelist and writer about human evolution

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