Are Sexual Purity Taboos A Response To STIs?

Asks whether sexual-purity taboos culturally evolved to limit STIs. Marshals evidence: historical syphilis rates of 8-10% (incurable, deadly), the 'pure/gross' framing shared with other disease-avoidance taboos, STIs rising with agriculture/monogamy, and -- for homosexuality taboos (no paternity stake) -- the anal-sex HIV biology and 'role-versatility' STI-spread dynamics (with ancient fixed penetrator/receiver roles possibly slowing spread). Weighs this against the paternity-anxiety alternative (which fits some taboos but not the disinterest in non-virgin widows or in promiscuous men). Concludes: probably both, STIs plausibly playing a part, but the evidence is circumstantial; calls for real anthropological data.

Quality 68 · Strong. Strong (68). A careful, balanced cultural-evolution exploration that marshals genuine historical/epidemiological evidence and honestly weighs STI-vs-paternity explanations (a thoughtful follow-up to his cultural-evolution thinking). Held mid-Strong: avowedly inconclusive and circumstantial.

Claude’s paradigm shift 48 · Moderate. Moderate (48). Explores an existing hypothesis with fresh supporting evidence (syphilis history, role-versatility); modest novelty.

Real-world impact 2 · Minor. 2 -- minor/within-blog. A cultural-evolution / sexuality discussion; within-discourse.