The importance of extramarital affairs

[Aaron Kashtan]

Our society tends to place a stigma on having affairs outside of marriage, as illustrated by the recent thread on sex addiction. However, there is growing scientific evidence that chastity is actually a bad idea.

According to Wikipedia, only 3 percent of mammals engage in social monogamy. Furthermore: "The incidence of sexual monogamy appears quite rare in the animal kingdom. It is becoming clear that even animals that are socially monogamous engage in extra-pair copulations."

Also, most of the cute animals are polygamous. This includes cats, squirrels, dolphins, and chipmunks. By contrast, monogamous animals include insects and fish, which are generally not cute. It would seem that there is a strong correlation between cuteness and polygamy. Logically, if we promote polygamy in our society, we will be contributing to the net cuteness of the human race.

Agree? Disagree?

[Wesley Dodds]

Agree? Disagree?

It's a fantastic idea for people with average or below average looks.

[Paradox]

What, so future generations can be cuter? Won't affect me, so ^%$# 'em! Let 'em suffer like we have to!

[Mike Smash!]

I think the modern societal moral objection is coming less from the idea of multiple partners and more from the idea of lying to one's partner or spouse.

I think the amount of moral objection to a married or committed couple having multiple sexual partners drops considerably when such affairs have the consent of both partners.

Even in couples who morally object to polyamorous relationships, I think that those who are cheated on, are much more hurt by the betrayal of being lied to than the objection to sex with multiple partners.

[dingo]

For the sake of my own sanity I will ignore the cuteness thing.

Having discarded that, what exactly is the justification for thinking that being polygamous is good?

Just because the minority don't do it doesn't mean it is bad.

[MarvelKnight]

So, the male can have many mates only? Can women be polyandrous?

[rick]

I haven't had an affair in years, but I will say this.

It beats the Hell out of jogging as a hobby.

[howyadoin]

I haven't had an affair in years, but I will say this.

It beats the Hell out of jogging as a hobby.

Plus you're less likely to spill your drink.

[Sanagi]

Married, unmarried, cute, ugly, whatever - Mother Nature just wants it heterosexual, unprotected, and as often as possible.

[mattx110]

Married, unmarried, cute, ugly, whatever - Mother Nature just wants it heterosexual, unprotected, and as often as possible.

you're about 3/4 catholic talking like that.

[Winslow]

Our society tends to place a stigma on having affairs outside of marriage, as illustrated by the recent thread on sex addiction. However, there is growing scientific evidence that chastity is actually a bad idea.

I philosophically object that science can provide answers to a moral question.

[JeffreyWKramer]

I philosophically object that science can provide answers to a moral question.

Final answers? No, since morality is a human concept, not an actual thing. Input, though? Absolutely. Morality has to be considered in the context of reality, and reality is very much the realm of science.

[Winslow]

Final answers? No, since morality is a human concept, not an actual thing. Input, though? Absolutely. Morality has to be considered in the context of reality, and reality is very much the realm of science.

Curiously, I find myself in agreement.

But looking to observations (science) of sexual practices in the animal world to answer questions of how we as humans want to relate sexually seems absurd to me.

[Dom]

Once you guys sort this out, could you let me know?

There is this cute girl at the Starbucks in my building.

[Typo Lad]

Curiously, I find myself in agreement.

But looking to observations (science) of sexual practices in the animal world to answer questions of how we as humans want to relate sexually seems absurd to me.

Well, that's because you're starting with a conceit that humans are somehow essentially different from animals.