“Sexual Selection, Agency, and the Reasonableness of Beauty” – Daniel Pedersen, University of Exeter

In a discussion of the role that beauty plays in the selection of mates by non-human females, Dr. Daniel Pedersen (Exeter) will offer an alternative to the two dominant answers to this question—the “adaptationist: and the “aesthetic view.” The first claims the beauty is simply marker of fitness. The second affirms the non-adaptive role of beauty but, according to the speaker, cannot offer a coherent model of rational female agency, complete with final causes. Professor Alex Rosenberg (Duke) will offer a response. Lunch will be provided.