Aesthetics Persuasive on Evolution

Quinn O’Neill on using aesthetics, not just evidence and appeals to reason, to increase acceptance of evolution: “We may need an approach with a bit of everything. I’m not suggesting that biology teachers should enlist the help of sexy models when they present evolution… Principles of persuasion can be adapted to the situation. For example, people are more likely to be persuaded by authorities and people they respect. …The aesthetic nature of evolution has important implications. In the classroom, it means that instructional methods should aim to engage more than just the intellect. Videos, animations, and computer games may be helpful.”