TED collaborates with animator Andrew Park to illustrate Denis Dutton's provocative theory on beauty -- that art, music and other beautiful things, far from being simply "in the eye of the beholder," are a core part of human nature with deep evolutionary origins.

Denis Dutton: A Darwinian theory of beauty

A Darwinian theory of beauty

Evolution's masterpiece, the peacock's tail, exemplifies beauty's role in survival and reproduction, transcending mere aesthetics.

Acheulian hand axes, dating back 1.4 million years, reveal our ancestors' appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, predating language.

Beauty, deeply embedded in our psyche, is a legacy from our ancestors, shaping our appreciation for art, music, and the cosmos itself.