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Story: Philosophy

Denis Dutton on beauty, 2010

American-born University of Canterbury philosopher Denis Dutton was a philosopher of art and was well known for his popular web portal Arts & Letters Daily. In this TED talk from February 2010 Dutton discusses his theory that appreciation of art is an evolutionary adaptation that helps to ensure survival.

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Kerryn Pollock, Philosophy – Philosophers in New Zealand, 1870s to 2000s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/42787/denis-dutton-on-beauty-2010 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 23 September 2013.