The evolution of human nature, some say, has been shaped by sexual choice, following the insight of Charles Darwin (1809-1882). Geoffrey Miller, The Mating Mind: How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature 3 (Anchor Books 2001). Others suggest Bronze Age aristocracies of Crete (2000 BC - 1370 BC), may even have held power not by virtue of high birth but through earning their stripes as "specialist mediators" between the people and their deities. Bettany Hughes, Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore 323 (Knopf 2005). "The traditions of science that lead to creative intelligence are ingenious ways of harnessing human courtship to produce cumulative progress towards world-models that are abstract, communicable, and true." Geoffrey Miller, infra, at 425. The evolution of creative intelligence guided by science, gives hope to the promise of Guided Evolution of Society, as envisioned by the late Bela H. Banathy. This influence of science has not, however, dimminished the influence throughout world history of genetic sexual selection pressures that turn human cognitive faculties into mere "ornamental fitness advertisements rather than disciples of truth." Geoffrey Miller, infra, at 424. Consider the stunning influence of Helen of Troy, the immortal symbol of the sexual powers of women -- Goddess, Princess, Whore -- who evolved out of the Trojan Wars (1275 BC-1180 BC) and died thirty three hundred years ago, but has never lost her relevance. She is depicted below with a Golden Mirror, transfixed by her own beauty. 
Evelyn De Morgan, Helen of Troy |