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That assumes that human pheromones are similar enough to monkey pheromones for the male monkeys to react to. This seems somewhat unlikely, given that male human

That assumes that human pheromones are similar enough to monkey pheromones for the male monkeys to react to. This seems somewhat unlikely, given that male humans don't react with sexual attraction to the pheromones of female monkeys.

nsajko 10y ago
> ... given that male humans don't react with sexual attraction to the pheromones of female monkeys. Umm, where are you concluding that from? Does it not seem possible that humans would share with our relatives some olfactory communication substances and their effects? We still have very little understanding of olfactory communication between humans (no human pheromones are known AFAIK) so I am sure we don't know yet about the lack of reaction to chemicals from other monkeys that you are positing. Anyways, our reactions to other species' pheromones would not lead to conclusions in the opposite direction.
- sandworm101 10y ago
  Animals can certainly tell male humans from females. Anyone with a dog or cat can see this. We are all mammals. Our chemistry isnt all that different.
  - twobyfour 10y ago
    Yes, but recognizing a distinction between males and females of another species is not the same thing as recognizing that one of them is the gender you're attracted to sexually.
- twobyfour 10y ago
  Ever been to a zoo that had monkeys? Ever had the least bit of attraction to a female monkey (if you're male) or seen a human man attracted to a female monkey?
  - nsajko 10y ago
    You said (not that that would be especially relevant to the discussion) that humans wouldn't experience such feelings in response to monkey pheromones, but that does not necessarily relate to our lack of sexual attraction towards monkeys. The facts are, they already did seem to perceive her as belonging to their group (as they defended her) and it is possible that things would have turned violent because of social dynamics and competition if she matured among them. This discussion is kind of too long already but here's a few things you may be missing: * Apes do rape women. * Humans use apes as "prostitutes" in some villages. (Tangential to your argument but not really relevant to the girl's case.)

nsajko 10y ago

> ... given that male humans don't react with sexual attraction to the pheromones of female monkeys. Umm, where are you concluding that from? Does it not seem possible that humans would share with our relatives some olfactory communication substances and their effects? We still have very little understanding of olfactory communication between humans (no human pheromones are known AFAIK) so I am sure we don't know yet about the lack of reaction to chemicals from other monkeys that you are positing. Anyways, our reactions to other species' pheromones would not lead to conclusions in the opposite direction.

sandworm101 10y ago
Animals can certainly tell male humans from females. Anyone with a dog or cat can see this. We are all mammals. Our chemistry isnt all that different.
- twobyfour 10y ago
  Yes, but recognizing a distinction between males and females of another species is not the same thing as recognizing that one of them is the gender you're attracted to sexually.
twobyfour 10y ago
Ever been to a zoo that had monkeys? Ever had the least bit of attraction to a female monkey (if you're male) or seen a human man attracted to a female monkey?
- nsajko 10y ago
  You said (not that that would be especially relevant to the discussion) that humans wouldn't experience such feelings in response to monkey pheromones, but that does not necessarily relate to our lack of sexual attraction towards monkeys. The facts are, they already did seem to perceive her as belonging to their group (as they defended her) and it is possible that things would have turned violent because of social dynamics and competition if she matured among them. This discussion is kind of too long already but here's a few things you may be missing: * Apes do rape women. * Humans use apes as "prostitutes" in some villages. (Tangential to your argument but not really relevant to the girl's case.)