slubberdegullion Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 A discussion among friends recently brought up the topic of infidelity. One of the participants pointed to a small cluster of studies that seem to show that infidelity may be at least partially due to genetics. She said, essentially, that women who partnered with more than one man during her fertile years was more likely to have surviving offspring. As well, she said, men who impregnate more than one woman are more likely to have their genes carried into the next generation. That is not to imply that we are slaves to our genetics; after all, we do have freewill and we do have choices to make. As well, one's environment (i.e.: parenting, especially) undoubtedly has much to do with behaviour. So, moral implications aside for the moment, what do you think? Genes may be to blame for infidelity Infidelity--It may be in our genes Female infidelity is partly due to genes Link to post Share on other sites
LucreziaBorgia Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I find it odd that people would think that its not that way. It is a constant struggle between our intangible humanity and our tangible biological imperatives. Link to post Share on other sites
Blackfrost Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 My two cents Cheating is a ethological moral concept. We chose to evaluate ourselves by this concept (as well as many other suppositions - like priestly chastity) because (for many) it strengthens their belief that it seperates them from common animals. The simple facts: Sex is fun. Either with a single long term partner - or with multiple partners (your personal choice of moral code will define what you deem acceptable). We're one of the few species who actually have sex purely for enjoyment, not just reproduction. Of course, everyone's going have their opinions on this subject, but from my upbringing in science, mathematics, and biology (vs a religious upbringing), I have to believe that it is a natural biological tendency for humans to cheat sexually. Whether they actually chose to act upon those feelings, depends on the personal standards they chose to define their "being" with. I love these topics - much like the religious ones - where if everyone chimes in, it's going to turn into a war of subjective semantics haha Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 It comes down to choice. What we know, what we grew up with, our parents, our friends, our society. But it still comes down to whether or not you put yourself in a situation where you can't say no. So, being tempted is one thing, I think everybody is tempted...The follow through doesn't have to happen...It shouldn't happen but obviously it does. Link to post Share on other sites
elijahBailey Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 thanks, now I can blame it on my genes. I've never cheated but dang if I've never gone thru a day without feeling tempted. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 That's not good though, being tempted all the time. It's normal at certain times to think about, someone catches your eye and ya stop and think for afew mins. But, taking it to the next level in your head, allowing yourself to enjoy it for too long isn't good. Self control, pushing away thoughts is part of it, be strong EB and be happy with who is infront of you. Link to post Share on other sites
OldEurope Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 What is mankind, really, if not distinguished from the animal world with the capacity to REASON and to achieve moral judgement, and with these things, a life based on (ideally) a set of values. I cannot stand it when people use this lame excuse about being "programmed" to cheat. If so, then we also have the "programming" for destruction, war, cultivating slavery, and child pornography. Why not just blame those things on "genes"? The point is, a civilized human life is one based on a high rational standard with a foundation of strong ethical discipline--whether that is "tough" or not. The opposite is chaos and depression. Show me one serial cheater, and I will show you a person who is downright miserable. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Well, if one is brought up with parents who cheated, grandparents who cheated, then maybe it is hereditory? More of a learned behaviour, going on instinct as that is all they've seen...Not really a gene thing, like if both parents have mental illness, that gets past down the family chain. Link to post Share on other sites
OldEurope Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 If they see it going on, then they, the kids, might "assume" that to act in such a way is acceptable. All behaviors, compulsions are certainly not a matter of genes but of the expression of values--picked up from family, society, cultural influence, all over. Humans tend to copy what they see, they are prone to herd thinking and easy influence, and want to have their behaviors justified. This is not "genes". Its human psychology. Link to post Share on other sites
elijahBailey Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Self control, pushing away thoughts is part of it, be strong EB and be happy with who is infront of you. you can be happy with whoever is in front of you and yet be tempted <sigh>. It's just me........ I mean..... <cough> ......it's in my genes Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 LS has seen this debate before. My argument against it is that while animals that display very evident grief over the deaths of their offspring or mates display no grief whatsoever over their mates' philandering. Humans, OTOH, feel devastating grief when their mates philander. There is zero evolutionary benefit to feeling grief over the philandering of a mate unless there isn't supposed to be philandering. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 you can be happy with whoever is in front of you and yet be tempted <sigh>. It's just me........ I mean..... <cough> ......it's in my genes Got it now....Boy, I'm slow today. Link to post Share on other sites
OldEurope Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Did anyone here see that cute Penguin movie, "The March of the Penguins"? Talk about FAITHFUL! Walking--or waddling--100 miles in the Anartic snows and back to bring some poor mate and soon-to-be-chick some food. NO affairs..and so much desire for warmth... Link to post Share on other sites
elijahBailey Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Did anyone here see that cute Penguin movie, "The March of the Penguins"? Talk about FAITHFUL! Walking--or waddling--100 miles in the Anartic snows and back to bring some poor mate and soon-to-be-chick some food. NO affairs..and so much desire for warmth... when you're too busy with stayin' alive, you don't got no time for affairs. Therefore, like my buddy says ' affairs are for people with a lot of free time in their hands '. Link to post Share on other sites
Quest2 Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Therefore, like my buddy says ' affairs are for people with a lot of free time in their hands '. I agree , a day here and there, sloppy seconds, couldn't do it, it's easy not to. Link to post Share on other sites
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