ABSTRACT
Love is a phenomenon that philosophers have grappled with since ancient Greece. Although monogamy is common practice, it is not the only way of conducting a romantic relationship. Polyamory, also known as consensual nonmonogamy, refers to the practice of openly having more than one lover at the same time. In a society dominated by monogamy, polyamory is dismissed as a fancy word for cheating. Biologist Matt Ridley argued that monogamy is necessary. He defended the practice of committing to a single romantic partner as both natural and beneficial to the human species. In his view, monogamy arose through the process of evolution. Genes are the building blocks of human beings. Because they want to survive for as long as possible, humans have a natural urge to reproduce and spread their genes to the next generation. The purpose of monogamy is to partner two individuals for greater success in reproduction.
