Life Without a Net
evolutionary biology
Social Value, Intelligence, and Evolution
Several of my recent posts have dealt with mating value. One of my readers took umbrage with my politically incorrect portrayal of women in that article, and since then, I’ve been digging through my brain for a way to explain why I’m probably right and hard feminists are probably wrong. I think the concept of … Continue reading
Science and Religion are Incompatible. Again.
PZ Myers has brought the case of Carlos Cerna and his quest for a PhD in molecular biology to the center stage. In a nutshell, Carlos attends La Sierra University — a Seventh Day Adventist school — and is a Young Earth Creationist. The church, which funds the university and dictates policy, has somehow acquired … Continue reading
Females, Casual Sex, and Evolution
There are a lot of areas of human sexual behavior that are pretty clear cut. For instance, there is little or no scientific disagreement regarding the evolutionary advantage for males to desire and pursue multiple sexual partners. For that matter, there’s practically no disagreement that casual sex, for males, is evolutionarily beneficial. Every time a … Continue reading
Theists in Foxholes
I’ve been gnawing on a rather gristly thought for the last couple of days, and I think I’ve finally broken it down into something manageable. The Friendly Atheist posted a brief blog about an atheist who was attacked and stabbed by a knife wielding assailant. The man did not cry out to god, nor did he … Continue reading
C’mon Baby, Knock Me a Kiss!
When you pressed your little lips to mine, that was then i understood They taste like candy, brandy and wine, peaches, bananas and everything good I love jam and no film flam, scratch that off my list This ain’t no jam, the jam can scram Baby! c’mon and knock me a kiss These words are … Continue reading
Monkey Morality and the Problem of Human Morality
The New York Times and the Times Online have published stories on primates and the origins of morality. They mention several primate experiments in which monkeys and chimps display prosocial behaviors such as helping others when there is no reward, sharing with companions, consoling companions, and remembering and repaying debts. These results add to a … Continue reading
On Morality, “Should,” and Murder
The “Should Trap” and How we Ought to Behave I’ve frequently mentioned the trap hidden in the word, “should.” It’s time now for us to look at exactly what the word means, what it doesn’t mean, and how a good understanding of these things will allow us to understand how humans form concepts of morality. … Continue reading
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