Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty

Harvard psychologist Nancy Etcoff argues that the human love of beauty is not just a cultural invention but a product of evolution. Drawing on biology, psychology and anthropology, she explains why we find certain faces and bodies attractive, how beauty affects how people are treated, and why people spend so much time and money on appearance. The book offers a scientific look at a subject that shapes our lives in many hidden ways.

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Shane Parrish: “This book looks at beauty from an evolutionary perspective. The arguments for the role that beauty plays in our life are both fascinating and a bit discouraging. What was most interesting was the research that demonstrates that although beauty is hard to define specifically, we all know it when we see it”