Is beauty in nature proof of evolution?

Answer 1

It is an example of the power of selection effects, including but not limited to evolutionary natural selection. It is also a result of the greatest selection effect of all ( our existence ). We probably would be unable to evolve and exist without many of the forms of natural beauty we take for granted. There are likely many very ugly regions of reality incapable of supporting our existence, in which we could never find ourselves.

Answer 2

Yeah, I suppose it is. Though evolution is literally just change. Whether macro or micro evolution, the point is that species have changed, the world has changed, the universe has changed. Evolution, therefore HAS to be the reason for nature's current beauty.

For me, the beauty in nature makes me think of how it got there, the great chance involved in life beginning, the gradual struggle :)

Answer 3

Yes. The venus fly trap smells like gone off meat and is not beuatiful to look at, but it is attractive to the fly which gets caught in the trap. The beauty of peacock feathers is to impress the peahen, obviously the cost of having daft plumage that may slow it down and make it some predator's dinner outweighs the advantages of getting the lady and passing his genes on.
To the dim wit who thinks God simply made everything beautiful so you could gawp and say "God is great", think again - that is typical of the human arrogance who believe the entire planet is put here as our plaything by an all knowing super spirit in the sky.
We all know it was actually the pink unicorn.

Answer 4

Yes....and no.

The process of evolution allows that something will adapt to fill every niche. It is that which allows the sulfur laden hot pools at Yellowstone to be colored with different forms of bacteria like a painter's palette. But what makes them beautiful? What advantage is it for them to be colored like that, in an environment that is hostile to most every other life form? What makes us appreciate beauty in things that have no relation to our survival?

I am not a creationist by any means, not even Christian. Evolution is such a perfect explanation for most all adaptations you see, but sometimes something makes you just stop and wonder.

Answer 5

If it is, is ugliness and cruelty in nature proof of the opposite?

(Sacculina, parasitic wasps... lots of possibilities: see URL)

Sorry, it doesn't work as simply as that in EITHER direction.

The world is full of co-operative harmony and beauty, and also of conflict and partial adaptation. This can be seen as fitting both the creation and the evolution models.
(OK, Christians have to invoke The Fall to cover why all of creation is not good)

Answer 6

I wouldn't say that the beauty of nature is proof of evolution so much as evolution can explain some of the beauty we see, as well as geology, astronomy, etc. Evolution also explains the ugliness in nature as well such as disease, prey/predator interactions, extinction,...

Answer 7

No, the evidence is proof of evolution. But nature is indeed beautiful and fascinating enough without tossing imaginary beings into the picture.

Answer 8

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

But yes, evolution is theory proven by facts, along the lines of gravity.

-Non working cells and tissues are present in every organism, research this further and you will find out why.

-Salt-Tolerant tomatoes

-Variation in Traits

-Old bones and Armadillos

Research these concepts further, I have many more. Glad I could help!

Answer 9

Not all nature is beautiful, only specfic environments. The brain has evolutionarily developed to prefer environments that are good for habitation including the abundance of vegitation and shelter. It aids in intergenerational survival

Answer 10

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Evolution is beautiful.
Nature is beautiful.

Beauty is not proof.