Faculty | April 27, 2012

Harvard sociobiologist E.O. Wilson on the origins of the arts

Sociobiologist E.O. Wilson on the evolution of culture

From The May-June 2012 Issue

The human urge to create art appears magnificently in the Paleolithic paintings from roughly 30,000 years ago at Chauvet Cave, in southern France. Here, the Panel of the Horses.

A bison, shown in twisted perspective; the doubling of the hindquarters and the extra legs may depict the animal running, or two bison side by side.

The Lion Panel, with bison (the lions’ likely prey), a young mammoth, and rhinoceros

Red bear

One rhinoceros from a group of 17

Dear Reader:

The text excerpted here was posted with permission of W.W. Norton, but that permission has since expired and the text has been taken down.

Read a Harvard Magazine profile of E.O. Wilson here.

Thank you for visiting.

Published in the May-June 2012 print issue under the headline “On the Origins of the Arts,” in the Features section.

Related topics

You might also like

Harvard's Andrew Knoll stands smiling at the camera, wearing a black shirt

Five Questions with Andrew Knoll

A paleontologist on how to understand Earth’s biggest extinction event

A speaker addresses a large crowd at an outdoor evening event.

Harvard Professor Michael Sandel Wins Philosophy’s Berggruen Prize

The creator of the popular ‘Justice’ course receives a $1 million award.

Alan Garber speaking at a podium in Memorial Church, with wooden panels in the background.

In Sermon, Garber Urges Harvard Community to ‘Defend and Protect’ Institutions

Harvard’s president uses traditional Memorial Church address to encourage divergent views.

Most popular

A man in a gray suit sits confidently in a vintage armchair, holding a glass.

The Life of a Harvard Spy

Richard Skeffington Welch’s illustrious—and clandestine—career in the CIA

Shield of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

Radcliffe Institute Announces 2020-2021 Fellows

During the pandemic, a virtual fellowship year looms.

An illustrative portrait of Justice Roberts in a black robe, resting his chin on his hand.

What Trump Means for John Roberts’s Legacy

Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.

Explore More From Current Issue

An illustrative portrait of Justice Roberts in a black robe, resting his chin on his hand.

Politics and Law

What Trump Means for John Roberts’s Legacy

Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.

Three models showcase distinct fashions: a floral black gown, a blue top with a floral yellow skirt, and a green dress.

Museums & Collections

The Peabody Essex Museum Spotlights Designer Andrew Gn

A landmark exhibition on global fashion

People gather near the John Harvard Statue in front of University Hall surrounded by autumn trees.

University News

A Changed Harvard Faces the Future

After a tense summer—and with no Trump settlement in sight—the University continues to adapt.