The Franke Program in Science and the Humanities: "Evolutionary Roots of Female Orgasm"

source: Yale University   2016年10月10日
The origin and meaning of female orgasm has occupied biologists and philosophers since the beginning of the study of life. The main problem is that female orgasm has no manifest roles in human reproduction but is nevertheless a complex physiological trait. Two of our speakers, Professor Gunter Wagner and Professor Mihaela Pavličev, propose that female orgasm is derived from a neuro-endocrine reflex that was necessary for ovulation but in primates lost its reproductive role. We shall also discuss the implications of our model for the understanding of so-called "orgasmic dysfunction." Professor Elisabeth A. Lloyd will serve as the respondent.