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Abstract: 

Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer’s book, A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2000), has been creating a furor. Almost every review has added to or reflected on the controversy that this book has generated. Some reviewers, picking up on the authors’ thesis (i.e., that evolution proves that rape is committed because of sexual desire and as a way to improve the gene pool or help propagate the species), have joined the authors in attacking feminist views about rape. Feminists and social scientists have been highly critical of the narrow perspective of evolutionary biologist authors. One problem is that reviewers seldom have knowledge of both fields. Part One of this review examined the view of rape presented by Thornhill and Palmer. Part Two, presented here, examines more closely the arguments that challenge their view.

Keywords: A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion;

Affiliations:  1: Editor of Sexual Assault Report.