Yes, I agree with Peterson (and with his source, Joseph Henrich) that monogamy was a great step forward and probably is a factor behind the success of the West.
In theory, ethical non-monogamy could have led to two outcomes:
1. People have more relationships because the ban against polygamy is taken away
2. People have fewer relationships…
Yes, I agree with Peterson (and with his source, Joseph Henrich) that monogamy was a great step forward and probably is a factor behind the success of the West.
In theory, ethical non-monogamy could have led to two outcomes:
1. People have more relationships because the ban against polygamy is taken away
2. People have fewer relationships because they don't know what to expect from each other.
In the real world, all the evidence points to alternative 2. I think that non-monogamous norms have failed on the empirical level. I don't think it is dangerous for society if some people decide to experiment with alternative relationship patterns now and then. But I think it hurts society a lot when the vast majority of people lacks a framework for how to be together.
Yes, I agree with Peterson (and with his source, Joseph Henrich) that monogamy was a great step forward and probably is a factor behind the success of the West.
In theory, ethical non-monogamy could have led to two outcomes:
1. People have more relationships because the ban against polygamy is taken away
2. People have fewer relationships because they don't know what to expect from each other.
In the real world, all the evidence points to alternative 2. I think that non-monogamous norms have failed on the empirical level. I don't think it is dangerous for society if some people decide to experiment with alternative relationship patterns now and then. But I think it hurts society a lot when the vast majority of people lacks a framework for how to be together.