S04 E14: Fallen Leaves: Will Durant on Sex, Evolution, and Intelligence
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S04 E14: Fallen Leaves: Will Durant on Sex, Evolution, and Intelligence
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About this listen
Why are we so profoundly drawn to the opposite sex, and what does it reveal about our nature and our civilization?
Join us on CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 14, as we explore the profound insights from the "On Sex" chapter of Will Durant's 'Fallen Leaves'. This episode unravels Durant's reflections on the enduring power of sexual infatuation, questioning why men react almost as "Pavlovian automata" to sexual stimuli. We'll examine how concealment can intensify physical attraction and delve into the evolutionary imperative of the sexual instinct, noting its intensity, surpassed only by the quest for food, and its dominance once basic needs are met. The discussion will cover how civilizations have historically labored to control this "swelling surge" through institutions like marriage, and how Durant posits that sexual sensitivity is "half the zest of life," being the likely origin of our sense of beauty and the "richest roots of art". Finally, we'll explore Durant's proposed "panacea": the development of intelligence to temper instincts with reason, offering a path to retain the stimulus of sexual feeling while ensuring "a decent respect for public order" and achieving the "quiet content of lasting love"