One would have to have been living on Mars not to have encountered the increasingly popular notion that our behaviour has an evolutionary explanation. According to evolutionary psychology we behave as we do because we are designed to optimise the chances of our surviving long enough to reproduce. Men who sleep with a lot of women or traders who aim to maximise their returns on their investments are simply responding to the fundamental biological imperative to make the world safe for their genes.

You may think that you chose your mate because she was kind and witty and shared your view of the world. Forget it: you were attracted to her because she had a waist:hip ratio that approximated to 0.7 - a figure that is associated with good health and fertility. As for your political or religious beliefs, they improve your chances of survival or that of the group to which your belong. You haven't chosen them; they have chosen you.

Not everyone is persuaded by the terrible simplificateurs who preach the gospel of evolutionary psychology....

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Science & Technology

1. Harvey wrote: Every time I read or hear a statemnt similar to what I have just read in this blog item I am reminded of a part of scripture saying,”.. The heart of man is exceedingly wicked, who can find it..” October 30, 2:53 pm | [comment link]

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