Atheists: do you believe rape is an evolutionary adaptation? Why or why not?

Question

Yes there are people that believe this. I want to know your opinions.

Answer 1

Rape is an act of violence. I doesn't have anything to do with evolution.

Answer 2

I haven't followed the research into it, but yes there was at some time some speculation as to whether "rape" had some evolutionary significance. I believe that the premise is that a man from one tribe would rape a woman from another thus increasing the gene pool. I don't know if this ever gained acceptance or not.

Did rape occur in history and prehistoric times? Without a doubt. Does that or that it serves a evolutionary need mean that we should condone or allow it, of course not.

Answer 3

I haven't read the studies, my layman's guess is that rape is ages old and that men will rape for various reasons, mostly to exert power over their victims.

There is a history of rape when invasions take place. One way to demoralize your enemy is to rape their wives and daughters. The conquering army has then forced their enemy into the ultimate submission. The conquering army has now inplanted their genetic material in the wombs of their enemy, thus allowing them to procreate.

It just might be an evolutionary adaptation That's the thing about nature, it is often brutal. But is is effective.

Answer 4

How could it be evolutionary? Rape has been rampent since people roamed the earth. Just like it was now and still is an act of control. The only adaptations that have been made is that its now in MOST countries a punishable act.

Answer 5

Those who rape are not more or less likely to survive or reproduce than those who have sex with willing partners. Therefor it is not a factor in evolution one way or the other.

That doesn't change the fact that it is morally reprehensible. Why is this a question for atheists? There are plenty of theists who are also knowledgeable about evolution? I don't see what it has to do with religion at all.

Answer 6

I wouldn't call it an adaptation. It's the result of people being unable to control their natural biological urges. However, I don't think it successfully preserves genetic material (especially in today's society) because rape rarely results in a child.

Answer 7

No.
The urge to rape comes from somebody's mind. It's about power. It's basically a mental illness, but it doesn't effect the whole mind. It's just hat one specific area.

And the whole population doesn't do it. Jsut certain people. And it doesn't achieve anything. (like eyes for eyesight is a plain example.)

Answer 8

First of all atheists are not necessarily biologists.

Second of all, find me a biologist that believes human rape is an adaptation.

Answer 9

I am christian but I know Atheists are good people and would not condone rape. People who rape can hide behind many screens including Churches. Who ever they are they should be punished

Answer 10

I think it's very interesting that rape is generally abhorred because we have evolved the traits which lead us to regard it as morally wrong. That's the more interesting issue - the fact that evolution is responsible for us thinking that rape is unacceptable.