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S'està carregant… Out of Eden: The Surprising Consequences of Polygamyde David P. Barash
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Esteemed writer and evolutionary biologist David P. Barash tackles this uncomfortable finding: that humans are actually biologically and anthropologically inclined toward polygamy. Drawing on decades of research, Barash presents a remarkable array of scientific evidence from evolutionary biology and cross-cultural studies that guide the reader through the hidden impacts of polygamy on such crucial behavior as violence, parenting, sexual preferences, adultery and efforts at monogamy itself, along with mind-bending speculation about the possible role of our polygamous predisposition when it comes to human genius, homosexuality and even monotheism. No s'han trobat descripcions de biblioteca. |
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Google Books — S'està carregant… GèneresClassificació Decimal de Dewey (DDC)306.84Social sciences Social Sciences; Sociology and anthropology Culture and Institutions Marriage and Parenting Non-traditional familiesLCC (Clas. Bibl. Congrés EUA)ValoracióMitjana:
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It’s a big world, and you can find support for pretty much any kind of sexuality and hierarchy you espouse. But one trait stands out; mammals tend to be polygynous. Polygyny is a branch of polygamy, where males take multiple mates. Much rarer – but still visible – is polyandry, in which females take multiple mates.
The book ranges far wider and deeper than expected. Chapters cover the violence of males, the range of parenting instincts, the way adultery is treated by species of all kinds, and how God fits the framework.
Throughout history, it appears that most men ended up with one wife. This was not so much because it was right or desirable, but because the alpha-male harem-keepers took far more than their share (sometimes tens of thousands!), and everyone else was lucky to hook up at all. Having a lifemate is clearly advantageous, and keeps men from going even farther overboard. Barash cites Engels saying maybe it’s not religion that’s the opiate of the masses, but monogamy.
Barash says we are confused over the most basic trait of any being – reproduction. Our advanced brains have taken us places we were perhaps never intended to go. This has muddied the basic functionalities of our animal roots. No other beings are as uncertain about reproduction, have so many myths, customs, rituals and taboos around it, or have such a constantly evolving relationship to it. Cultural evolution has led Homo sapiens to monogamy, while its instincts remain polygynous.
The book is packed with ideas, facts, quotes and allusions. Every paragraph is a challenge to knowledge. It is one of those science books where there is no point using a highlighter; the entire book would be soaking in yellow and you couldn’t find a thing.
David Wineberg ( )