3 ms·
I used to buy into this kind of genetic reductionism, and the notion that we're ultimately just replication bots. But it's neither a proven-factual way of look
by tomhoward 7y ago
I used to buy into this kind of genetic reductionism, and the notion that we're ultimately just replication bots.
But it's neither a proven-factual way of looking at the world, nor a meaningful one.
People want all kinds of things, including optimism, purpose, safety, community, connectedness, virtuousness, recognition, transcendence, confidence, and more.
Status for reproduction is a part of what people want, but it's not the only or ultimate thing.
This just-so narrative is both extremely dull and extremely damaging.
- _zamorano_ 7y agoSex is at the foundation of Maslow's pyramid of human needs, alongside breathing, feeding or rest. More important than friendship or even family. No reductionism here. Remove one need of the base of the pyramid and you get hell.
- tomhoward 7y agoMaslow's hierarchy is a philosophical model, not hard science. It's not even wholly embraced by the psychology profession, let alone any hard-science field. Besides, the parent I was responding to was talking status for reproduction, not just sex. Bear in mind that plenty of notable extremists have had partners and children. I don't dispute that people are generally happier and more content if healthy sexual intimacy is a part of their life, but it's clearly just one part of a much bigger and more complex whole.