Why humans, alone among species, have art.

Here is a neuro scientist who writes about the problem that has puzzled a lot of philosophers: why do humans have art, and why not dogs? In his last book, Gazzaniga analyses humans' puzzling attraction to stories, plays, paintings and music — experiences with no obvious evolutionary payoff. “Why does the brain contain reward systems that make fictional experiences enjoyable?” he asks.
Part of the answer, he argues, is that fictional thinking engages innate “play” modules that enhance evolutionary fitness (that is, the ability to propagate one’s genes) by allowing us to consider possible alternatives — hypothetical situations — so that we can form plans in advance of dangers or even just unpleasant social situations.

“From having read the fictional story about the boy who cried wolf when we were children,” he writes, “we can remember what happened to him in the story and not have to learn that lesson the hard way in real life.”

Art may be more than a leisure activity. Artistic, representational thinking could have been fundamental in making us the way we are. As Gazzaniga concludes, “The arts are not frosting but baking soda.” (read full article here)