Topics Color

Question Why are there no bad color combinations in nature? Colors in nature never clash. Why not?

Accepted:
October 11, 2005

Comments

Is this so? I don't know (I'm color blind). But assuming it is, shouldwe reach for evolution to explain this (I realize you didn't suggest this)? Somehow, one might hold,evolutionary pressures shaped our aesthetic sensibilities (for I takeit that that's what judgments about color clashes amount to) in justsuch a way that we find all color arrangements in nature pleasing. Butwhat possible evolutionary advantage would there be to that? In fact,you might have expected that there would be an evolutionary advantageto finding certain color combinations repellent: e.g., thatit would promote our survival if we were to judge that the colors ofthat dangerous carnivore's coat "just don't work together". Also,aesthetic judgments are, well, judgments. And as such, theyare sensitive to the rational give and take of reflection, experience,imagination, and so on. The judgment that these colors clash is not abrute, immutable reaction, but rather a judgment that is sensitive tomany considerations and hence beyond the reach of evolutionary shaping.Does this last thought point to a more fruitful direction ofexplanation? Might it be that our aesthetic judgments are shaped inpart by our experiences and hence it's no wonder that we judge thecolor combinations found in nature to be harmonious?

Question Why are there no bad color combinations in nature? Colors in nature never clash. Why not? Accepted:October 11, 2005

Question Why are there no bad color combinations in nature? Colors in nature never clash. Why not?

Accepted:
October 11, 2005