The case of monogamy | Kyle Harper | TEDxOU

Kyle Harper's intellectual pursuits are wide-ranging, from the history of slavery in the ancient world to the development of Christian notions of marriage and family and how law and justice in Greece and Rome continue to shape western legal systems today. Through his studies and research, one truth has crystallized for Harper: that an authentic and nuanced understanding of the United States as a nation, and in particular its constitutional founding, must be grounded in an understanding of history and philosophy from the ancient world to the present. n Edmond-native, Kyle Harper graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Letters from OU in 2001. After pursuing his Master's and Ph.D. In History at Harvard University, Kyle returned to his home state in 2009 to become the Director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage and Assistant Professor of Classics and Letters at the University of Oklahoma. He is a specialist on Roman History, with particular interests in long-term economic and social history and the possibility for integrating biological approaches to human behavior and human sociality into the study of the deep human past. His books include "Slavery in the Late Roman World" and "From Shame to Sin: Christianity and the Making of Western Sexuality."

[Chasee]

Some of this is misleading. Yes, polygamy has been normal throughout history, but it's possible that even in these polygamy-practicing societies, monogamy was/is more common than polygamy. For example, he mentioned the majority of the Muslim world recognizes polygamy. But he didn't mention that the vast majority of these Muslims are not polygamous. I think it would be interesting to look at the ratios throughout polygamous societies.

[marciellamax]

Thank you so much TED, thank you so much Kyle! This is what needs to be taught in schools.

[ctf]

I, for one, am getting sick & tired of the apparent need to justify monogamy, polygamy, polyamory, etc... with a historical context. Not all practices thousands of years ago have an effect on what we choose to practice today. I'm monogamous because I prefer it that way. Whether or not polygamy was rampant, or monogamy was spread by Christianity has NOTHING to do with it. Neither one is any more or less natural than the other.

[wouter]

"Every man for himself" is what typifies our age, and it prevales in this talk as well. 

[proquo-s]

Gosh, this comment section is depressing me. You're all fighting so much. It's actually tearing me up...

History is very important, yet I think people forget we live in the present. Thousands of years from now what we do in this time will be history.

It doesn't matter who is monogamous or polygamous, it's all a choice. I suggest you find who you feel you're compatible with, keep open communication and hope for the best. We've evolved in more ways than one compared to the humans of 1000 years ago and honestly should we be comparing ourselves with them? We have been raised in an almost entirely different world, and an amazing one at that. Also I don't mean we've evolved in just the physiological sense (which we have by the way), it's just the way we think presently is so different.

It really is amazing to be who you are, right now in this time. Think and share your opinions but do try not to shove it down everyone else's throats. No laws are absolute, everything changes and it will continue to evolve with the times.

Just wait, when we're dead and long gone from this period, other humans will be judging us on the way we thought. I just wish I could see it; wouldn't that make for a good laugh?

I hate forcing opinions down people's throats but I'm going be a bit of a hypocrite here, sorry. Listen to one another! Think on what has been said by both parties and please try to be empathetic. Love one another. We're humans after all, right?

[felinedru]

Why does the question have to be raised male centric initially?

[spectaclereplication]

Monogamous arrangement might just be the institution of a particular time, place, culture, etc., rather than something intended, much less demanded, by Nature (or a deity).

[peach]

This was not the most easy talk to follow.  It didn't grab and keep my interest the way the other talks have. 

[contrafax]

Interesting about this theory of how Rome exported Monogamy. But he neglects to mention that the Main reason the Greek classics, their history and knowledge of the Roman empire survived is because a Muslim kingdom kept that knowledge, as well as the scientific method. Until shortly after the Renaissance, the middle east was the first world.

[MikeWoot]

the Agricultural and Industrial revolutions were the BEST and the WORST things that has happened to us

[werewolfofoblivion]

@Kingston Hawke
1. There are two strategies. One is quantity, the other quality. Monogamy is a quality strategy, less offspring but more investment in them and thus higher survival rates for them. That is what humans do. 2. Who says that? You? Where is your degree in anthropology?

[PrestonBozeman]

Haha! This guy is my uncle! Seriously! He is my uncle!!!

[bediennoko]

I think that even in societies where polygamy is common, monogamy is still prevalent because in every society resources are limited, making polygamy a matter of who "can", not who "wants to".

[BlueEyesBrittany]

It is always men who want polygamy not women .... ... and frankly it has to do with selfish behaviours and no way will i ever support polygamy .. no way

[johncampbell]

Polygyny died out as human life-spans lengthened: Each new wife brings in more In-Laws.

[egorka]

How were greeks monogamous? What about greek pederasty? I think this guy just forces the western mindset on anscient cultures. Just like he regards land ownership solely on the basis of "property" and "investment" hugely modern and capitalistic views. Why does everybody fail to see that land and property ownership in primordial societies tends to be owned collectively. Agrarian societies do not necessarily carry along the concept of division of property.

[Maceman]

Very interesting talk. I would love to see this cultural study extent to the modern times. Take Laura Kipnis, Against love: A polemic. It fits in with a wider cultural phenomenon that people don't 'believe' in monogamy anymore. Fueled with social biology, cultural studies and resentment of old dominating values open relations start to become more prevalent. Women demand the same freedom as men. Raises the question, is jealousy by men biological encoded, or culturally depended? What about women?

[starrr]

I’m the only one who fall in love with this man?…

[Tao]

Monogamy may be practical, but it is not natural.

[aeroslimatic]

This talk has been influential in my understanding of bringing polyamoury to the forefront of the modern culture