RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] speaking of apocalyptic horsemen...

["Matthew Ross" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

> The thing is, it *is* rational to reproduce.  So a "rational" argument
> that one should behave irrationally might not fly with the rational
> person.

Its rational as a species to reproduce, to overproduce is another matter entirely. It is rational to use contraceptives if the species is too numerous to be sustained. It is also rational to use contraceptives when you personally are incapeable of financially supporting a dependant.

> What's happening in the modern world:  The best-educated women are
> delaying childbirth so that they can complete their 
> educations.  Then they
> are limiting the number of their offspring so that they can 
> get more work
> done, make more money and focus more attention on their small 
> numbers of
> children.  This could be considered 'rational' because limiting
> reproduction helps them to attain desired goals, but it could be
> considered 'irrational' because they are (from a biologists 
> point of view)
> reducing their fitness when they don't have to.

The rational thing from a biologists perspective is for the more productive members of society to reproduce, and the less productive to no reproduce. Unfortunately the opposite happens more often because the productive are out working, and the unproductive have plenty of time for reproduction.

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