Kinship to Mastery: Biophilia in Human Evolution and Development

A skillful elaboration of the notion of biophilia the idea that humans are part of evolution and, therefore, possess a basic biological attraction to nature arguing that this affinity and its expression affects quality of life. Kellert (forestry and environmental studies, Yale U.) demonstrates human connections with nature, discussing the material necessities which the natural world provide and also less substantial contributions to intellectual capacity, emotional bonding, aesthetic attraction, creativity, imagination, and the recognition of a purposeful existence. These expressions of biophilia, the author argues, are integral to overall health, and the ongoing degradation of the environment might have consequences that people have not yet considered. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.