Evolution works by exploiting regularities in all of those complex and intertwined factors. In instances where we see obvious regularities, and we see that the

Evolution works by exploiting regularities in all of those complex and intertwined factors. In instances where we see obvious regularities, and we see that they've been exploited, then we should at least bump that probability that it's a valid explanation for the behavior. Are we sure? Of course not. But we've got some information, and often a pretty significant amount. That's not to say there isn't a lot of bad evolutionary psychology out there, especially in the popsci section at the bookstore. But the idea that we shouldn't even consider evolution when we're trying to explain behavior is too far in the other direction.