Blacknad wrote:
"Empathy is not guilt."

My response:
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.po...00000b80044f1 1

Perhaps not but they are related.
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Blacknad asks:
"Are we under the impression that every human trait has an evolutionary basis?"

No. We are under the impression that the underlying chemistry in the brain is the result of evolution. There is a difference.

So lets get to your questions:

Q1: What is the reason I find a sunset beautiful?

A1: Can't answer that question. What I can tell you is that there are places on this planet where sunset is associated with the onset of terror and evokes a very different set of emotions.

Q2: What is the reason I find anything beautiful besides the opposite sex?

A2: Because you associate it with the release of hormones in your brain such as oxytocin.

Q3: What is the evolutionary drive to enjoy pornography?

A3: This is a family friendly web site. If you really don't know contact me off-line and I'll explain "the birds and the bees" to you. BTW: Not everyone enjoys pornography. Your assumption contains a basic fault.

Q4: What is the evolutionary drive to make some people enjoy being spanked and experience pain

A4: I was hoping you'd ask this one. The human body finds mild pain pleasurable. One example is the fact that the exact same mechanisms are stimulated by capsicum (chili peppers) as by being burned by something very hot. When we can control the amount of nerve ending stimulation (different for different people) the end result is pleasure. I, for one, enjoy hot Thai, Mexican, and Indian food. Hot to the point that others would find it painful.

Q5: hy the crossover some people feel between pain and sexual pleasure?

A5: Just answered that one for you.

Q6: What is the evolutionary basis for self-mutilation or suicide

A6: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/suifit.html
There are many more good references. This is
just the first one I found.

Evolution accounts for much but we should not make the mistake of believing it accounts for every complex behaviour found in a complex brain.

I disagree. It is only via evolution that it is possible to construct something capable of such complexity.

Look at the evolution, for example, of thinking machines. The smartest ones are the ones capable of rewiring their own circuitry.


DA Morgan