Evolution and Sexuality

From: Barnes, Bethan (BETHAN92@psy.soton.ac.uk)
Date: Fri Mar 03 1995 - 15:54:34 GMT

Stevan,

I was wondering after the discussion in yesterday's lecture about the
ultimate aim of sex being reproduction: where does Darwin stand with
regard to the paedophile? Clearly the paedophile cannot hope to
reproduce with a prepubescent child, so surely the ultimate aim in
this instance is pleasure. Also, with regard to this issue, many
paedophiles claim maladaptive learning (or, in other words, the fact
that they were abused themselves) as the reason that they themselves
abuse. Does this mean that maladaptive learning can overide the
genetic desire to reproduce?

I'd be grateful for your comments on this issue Thanks, Beth

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