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Greenleaves
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Member Since Jun 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Default Jan 17, 2013 at 09:14 PM
 
I think a lot of people misunderstand evolution and natural selection. They don't select for the best things all the time. Some things that are pretty much neutral can just stay and stay as long as it doesn't harm the species in a huge way.

Evolution and natural selection just works to make sure things are just "OK" enough to survive, it doesn't perfect anything at all. There are tons of so called "flaws", but then again what was once a "flaw" in one environment may become an advantage in another.

As long as being sexual as a 90 year old doesn't affect things like fertility either way so I can't see how it can be even selected against. So it will just stay.

As long as something is not super harmful, usually this just sticks around.

Also I really think humans are way too complex for people to use evolutionary psychology to explain things.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Edpsy77 View Post
Why do 90 year old women have sex drives? Based on evolutionary theories on sexual behavior, sexual drives are absolutely tied to reproduction. I understand that reproductive urges can exist without the intent or even the capacity to reproduce but these exceptions are individuals who are in groups that overwhelmingly have the ability to reproduce. For instance, it is possible that a 20 year old male or female has a condition that prevents them from reproducing.However, most 20 year old adults can reproduce.

So again why do 90 year old women have sex drives? No 90 year old woman has the ability to become pregnant. Thus, it would conform to Darwinian logic that these women would lack a mating strategy. In other words, according to evolutionary logic, 90 year old women would be asexual. I would think mating strategies would apply to those who only have the ability to reproduce.

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