>
>Why can't a human caring for a bird with a broken wing be increasing
>their apparent value as a mate by exhibiting maternal-like behaviour
>to onlookers?
>
>What if the human is over-generalising a strategy that /usually/
>pays off - be nice to those around you - or face reprisals.
>
>What if those on the greenpeace ships, risking their lives on
>the ocean are deliberately putting themselves in extreme situations
>in close proximity to members of the opposite sex who are demonstrating
>a combination of their caring nature and fearlessness to prospective 
>mates?
>
>I'm afraid I have difficulty in seeing these behaviours as evolutionary
>anomolies...

I do too.
I think all these behaviors are a direct outgrowth
of self nurturing. (food in)
Below is an example of how this type of behavior could have evolved -step by
step.
It's quite easy to see that love for self can be projected onto others outside
of self and other inamimate objects outside of self, and even ideas, morals,
and philosophies outside of self.

Woman nurtures self
Woman nurtures fetus in self
Woman nurtures newborn
Woman nurtures all children
Woman nurtures all people
Woman nurtures living things
Woman nurtures earth, environment , or anything important to her or that
nurtures herself.
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 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 10/1/04 5:29:37 PM