Evolution of Human emotions

[Jet Black]

I really don't see why you can't understand. Love is not for the purpose of reproducing. Love is for the purpose of joy. Also, if humans were only meant for reproduction, then why do we have STD's? Nothing should get in our way of "shagging" our partners, so STD's should not be a factor. But it IS a factor. Birth defects, STD's, death because of birth. These shouldn't be things to worry about, but they ARE things to worry about. Also, marriage is a beautiful thing whether you disagree with me or not.

STDs are organisms that take advantage of the fact that we have sex in order to propagate themselves, just like the common cold takes advantage of the fact that you breathe, and just like you take advantage of the fact that vegtables produce vitamin C, and take advantage of the fact that the things you eat produce protein, and those things take advantge of other things and so on.

 

[AndTheyShoutedJesus]

Then what about marriage?

 

[Jet Black]

a human phenomenon. it;s rather off the topic of why we have emotions though.

 

[AndTheyShoutedJesus]

a human phenomenon. it;s rather off the topic of why we have emotions though

Actually this topic relates perfectly. Marriage is loving your spouse enough to want to be with them forever. But if love was for reproduction means, then marriage shouldn't be. Once two people concive a child, then they should just live how they want. Oh. By the way. When you say that love is to help reproduction, you probably meant lust. I know this is off topic, but are you married?

 

[Jet Black]

Actually this topic relates perfectly. Marriage is loving your spouse enough to want to be with them forever.

strange then that alot of people who want to be with one another forever don't get married then. then there is the peak for divorces, which is ~4 years after marriage. and then there are alot of unhappy marriages which stay together for societal reasons.

But if love was for reproduction means, then marriage shouldn't be. Once two people concive a child, then they should just live how they want.

no, remember both parents have a genetic and emotional interest in that child.

Oh. By the way. When you say that love is to help reproduction, you probably meant lust.

love too. It ensures the couple stay together in order to maximise the odds of the child surviving.

I know this is off topic, but are you married?

no, I'm only 25

 

[Nathan David]

Actually this topic relates perfectly. Marriage is loving your spouse enough to want to be with them forever. But if love was for reproduction means, then marriage shouldn't be. Once two people concive a child, then they should just live how they want.

OK, are you asking how emotions evolved or how we think people should behave? Because those are two entirely different questions.

 

[WWJND]

Speaking of STD's, check out mutation in AIDS if you want an example of evolution. That is one smart bug...

Jet - only 25? You are wise beyond your years, IMO.

And I was married at 22, so, maybe I am unwise?

Anyway, I like to relate my choice in a mate to people who care to know (i know no one asked). We started out as inseparable friends, that's it. But what I saw in her was her capacity for love and devotion, her strong will, her beliefs on how to parent, and her genes. Yes genes, intelligent viking sort of genes, just like mine!!!! BIG genes, and fairly intelligent. But in all honesty, before I was in "lust" with her, I knew she was a good mate to partner with for children. Of course I didn't quite see it in these terms before. I thought of it along the lines of: My mom likes her, I love her as a companion, she is pretty nice looking, dang she is strong willed, obviously a strong/smart person, and, uh oh, wait a minute, what's that feeling I'm starting to get in the pit of my stomach??? Bam, it hit me.

And what came of it? Married 7 years, 2 kids both are literally off the charts in size and intelligence (at least the doc says so on every visit).

IMO, this is VERY rare, most people see the physical attributes in a person and commence forth with some sort of idiotic mating dance/ritual because they want to mate (using a nice term here). That is because I don't know that the whole gene continuity thing is as conscious as most people would think.

 

[Aron-Ra]

Actually this topic relates perfectly. Marriage is loving your spouse enough to want to be with them forever. But if love was for reproduction means, then marriage shouldn't be. Once two people concive a child, then they should just live how they want.

And unfortunately, many people do. The result is devestating to our children. My parents divorced, my grandparents divorced, and I myself, (sadly) am divorced. The result for every generation has been confusion and pain, conflict and jealosy, and having to deal with step-siblings and 2nd or 3rd step-parents and too many grandmothers most of whom don't give a damn anymore. Family and community unity are very important social aspects in the evolution of our species. And too many of us are rejecting that for our own petty, temporary selfish desires. Its a sad situation.

Oh. By the way. When you say that love is to help reproduction, you probably meant lust.

No. Lust doesn't nurture a family, and hinders the ability of either parent to properly rear their children.

Human children are more dependant on adults for our socialization than most other animals. However, we're not the only animals like that either. Elephants have a terrible situation with hoodlums when father bulls have been eliminated from the family unit. In areas where young bulls are a violent problem, mature bulls have been brought in as mentors with positive results.