sexual attraction

[GrowingSmaller]

Is it rational to reproduce under the influence of sexual attraction? She has a fine figure therefore a child is warranted seems logically incomplete. But i am sure such attitudes caused many of us to be here. Is living by sexual instinct healthy because naturall evolved and selected, on a scale of 1 to 10? I have read that st paul and augustine had negative attitudes towards sex. It sounds trite that we should take a wholistic moral approach, so are we going to preach to the converted or are people generally irrationalised by lust?

 

[CrashTestPoster]

People are often sexually attracted to those who are good reproductive prospects. - that's why a lot of men like females with broader hips and bigger boobs. Of course, there are extremes that aren't attractive to males. Obesity can lead to infertility for both sexes, and a lot of people aren't attracted to those who are obese. Women are seen to be more attracted to men with more "masculine" features (as opposed to "pretty boys") whenn they ovulate, and also if they are not taking birth control pills.

 

[CrashTestPoster]

I don't believe it "naturally evolved", although I believe that - over time - this preferences can be selected for on the basis of who is most likely to succeed at the reproductive game.

Paul did not have a negative attitude towards sex. He was asexual; he considered it the gift of celibacy. He acknowledged that not everyone had this gift, and for those people who are "burning", they should be married. He also thought that women should marry and have babies. He did believe - and this is 100% the truth - that lust can get out of control in some people, which is why he counselled marriage, and told people who are married to never deny anyone except under mutual agreement and for prayer.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

People are often sexually attracted to those who are good reproductive prospects. - that's why a lot of men like females with broader hips and bigger boobs. Of course, there are extremes that aren't attractive to males. Obesity can lead to infertility for both sexes, and a lot of people aren't attracted to those who are obese. Women are seen to be more attracted to men with more "masculine" features (as opposed to "pretty boys") whenn they ovulate, and also if they are not taking birth control pills.

o know that but ty for the comments. would you say there is a possible world where people reproduce for purely rational purposes, and another where there is reason and instinctive desire. if the second leads to more reproduction then desire is a factor that decreases rationality. Right?

 

[Gracchus]

would you say there is a possible world where people reproduce for purely rational purposes, ...

Of course! There have been instances where marriages are arranged, often for rational, if morally suspect, motives.

... and another where there is reason and instinctive desire.

It is possible, but usually one thing or another takes precedence.

 

[variant]

Is it rational to reproduce under the influence of sexual attraction? She has a fine figure therefore a child is warranted seems logically incomplete. But i am sure such attitudes caused many of us to be here. Is living by sexual instinct healthy because naturall evolved and selected, on a scale of 1 to 10? I have read that st paul and augustine had negative attitudes towards sex. It sounds trite that we should take a wholistic moral approach, so are we going to preach to the converted or are people generally irrationalised by lust?

I think you may be over-thinking this one.

Paul and Augustine had negative attitudes toward reproduction because they were focused on religion instead of reality.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I think I was born to think. IIRC Aquinas says sex was created with a purpose in mind, but in my case that seems to be frustration through lack of access more than anything else. At least I can still think, but as you imply maybe that can be seductive in it's own right. But I think I'm better at attracting the frontal lobes than the opposite sex so perhaps my fitness is not absolute zero.

 

[Gadarene]

Under those influences alone? Yes, I would say it is irrational. Best to wait and judge on other aspects before reproducing.

 

[Paradoxum]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Isn't reproduction a matter of values and desires rather than rationality? That doesn't mean it is irrational, just that it has little to do with reason.

 

[variant]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Isn't reproduction a matter of values and desires rather than rationality? That doesn't mean it is irrational, just that it has little to do with reason.

Reproduction has a reason, but it is not a process where by we reason with the brain.

I think I was born to think. IIRC Aquinas says sex was created with a purpose in mind, but in my case that seems to be frustration through lack of access more than anything else. At least I can still think, but as you imply maybe that can be seductive in it's own right. But I think I'm better at attracting the frontal lobes than the opposite sex so perhaps my fitness is not absolute zero.

Smart is attractive to most people.

What others don't usually like about the general intellectual is the reclusiveness and the social ineptness that often comes with it.

So, no, you weren't just born to think, you choose to.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I am assuming that we can be rational in the face of the value of life, and potential life. Promoting the good seems to involve understanding which is the better option and I am cognitivist to some degree about that. Of course in infinitely complex and chaotic scenarios choices become difficult, but there are rules of thumb about value (health happiness flourishing welfare) that we can logically engage. If you want welfare justifying it seems logically true to be a good (well faring) option. All we need is non zero understanding of it's nature and causes and we're off!!!

 

[Paradoxum]

Reproduction has a reason, but it is not a process where by we reason with the brain.

What do you mean?

 

[variant]

What do you mean?

I am saying there is a reason, a logical purpose, an order to reproduction.

I am also saying that it doesn't originate in our brains but in our genes.

It is flatly clear why organisms do it.

Survival is life's basest imperative.

 

[Paradoxum]

I am saying there is a reason, a logical purpose, an order to reproduction.

It is flatly clear why organisms do it.

I am also saying that it doesn't originate in our brains but in our genes.

Survival is life's basest imperative.

Well genes make us want to reproduce, but I wouldn't say that makes reproduction a rational decision.

 

[variant]

Well genes make us want to reproduce, but I wouldn't say that makes reproduction a rational decision.

Why not?

You may not be reasoning but that doesn't mean there isn't a rational.

 

[Paradoxum]

Why not?

You may not be reasoning but that doesn't mean there isn't a rational.

What is the rational?

 

[variant]

What is the rational?

Your genes are looking to survive.

Survival is it's own rational.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Parodoxum I ought to qualify happiness as good if it is a rational happiness in the face of the wider landscape of value-presenting-itself. It is not rational in the light of the value of welfare to as a rule persue self injurous ends, so it is ethically wise (and logical) to be saddened by such inclinations.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Your genes are looking to survive.

Survival is it's own rational.

Isnt that anthropomorphism and Sarterian "bad faith"?

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Reproduction can be ethically rational if the chances are the child will live a life of value. This is not just happiness but more complex than that as the world is multi faceted it takes multiple skills and emotions to deal with it in an axiologically appropriate manner.