tiberry

I'm *very* interested in this topic - in fact, my friend and I just had a long discussion today at lunch about this. Strange coincidence I guess.

Just to clarify, we have several thoughts in play here:

1. Polygamy is selfish. Presumably, this relates to what Zubon said in that its an "excuse for promiscuity".

2. Polygamy is a deviant trait used by those who "can't choose a single partner". I'm introducing the word "deviant", and although Mantus didn't use that word - I think its implied from his response as a whole. Also see Brianna's response that says "...the kind of folks who cannot get it together to have a successful relationship with one person".

To keep it simple (and philosopical) lets completely remove the legality variable. After all, laws are just a means to impose someone's (or some group's) personal moral values onto society.

Enter ARTelevision. In true form, he quickly narrows the focus to the razor-sharp contradiction between marriage and polygamy. Now we have a basis for the argument. SO instead of examining what's wrong with polygamy, I'd like to explore whats right with marriage.

What is this institution for? What purpose does it serve other than a legal framework for a "contractual business relationship" to quote ARTelevision. I mean let's get out of the legal aspects of this and really explore what benefit marriage has on the "human" level.

You say polygamy is selfish? I say marriage is selfish. Is it not a contractual commitment to the other? Look at what its become - a means to ensure financial support to another (usually the wife) in the event that the relationship ends. Its an immediate step to limit both party's options to terminate the relationship for whatever reason. This in and of itself leads to serious problems that could probably be addressed through open communication had the explicit limitation of options not been present. No one wants to feel "trapped" in a relationship.

Is it a "proclamation of two person's commitment to eachother" in front of God and everyone? What purpose would that serve, if not of a selfish intent to say "He/She's mine so hands off!? Couldn't you demonstrate this to the other person in the relationship through act and deed on a daily basis, not just through some one-time public ceremony?

To me, polygamy doesn't necessarily imply "having sex with lots of women and its ok"...its more than that - although I understand why society as a whole would reduce it to that. I think of it as a word to describe the "opposite" of feeling compelled to enter into the manmade "legal and binding contract" of marriage. Its the choice to love whomever, however and whenever you choose. What's wrong with that? Morally, philosophically, or otherwise?

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Before anyone else says it - I'm aware of the evolutionary/scientific/cultural argument that addresses: the care and nurturing of children in a "family unit", the man's "survival of my genes" drive to inseminate as many females as possible", as well as the females disposition to "secure a male to care for my offspring and I". Let's keep this current and suppose that all involved use the proper birth control methods.