John Curley


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John Curley argues powerful people like David Petraeus have affairs because they're biologically predisposed to them.(AP image)

John Curley argues adultery is hard wired in strong men

BY Josh Kerns  on November 13, 2012 @ 8:19 am (Updated: 10:24 am - 11/13/12 )

What do Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bill Clinton and David Petraeus have in common? They're just some of the brilliant leaders and thinkers also known for their extramarital affairs. KIRO's John Curley argues it's because many are simply hard wired that way.

"If you want to blame them socially, go ahead. But if you want to understand them biologically, you will be able to understand their action," Curley says of the pioneering work of Desmond Morris, the zoologist and psychologist who authored the seminal book "The Naked Ape." In it, Morris posits men (and women) are no different than animals. The strongest of the species are genetically predisposed to unbridled sexual urges and a need to dominate, just like apes.

"I'm just saying, biologically, understand that when you have an alpha male leader, someone like David Petraeus, this stuff will happen. It's happening all the time. If you want to have a society that's cleaned itself of adulteress behaviors, then you probably will not have necessarily alpha people in leadership positions," says Curley, who insists he's not condoning adultery, just trying to bring some understanding to what seems to be an all too common occurrence with powerful people.

But not everyone agrees. In response to a conversation about Petraeus on Seattle's Morning News, listener Penny from Enumclaw writes:

"So we just let behavior fall to the lowest common denominator and be happy with it? I say we hold everyone, especially our leaders, to the highest standards so that they can be an example of behavior to the nation. Anything else is bringing us to the behavioral gutter."

But Curley argues you simply can't discount some men's inherent nature.

"All I can say is, you have to look at biologically who he is, where he is, and is it necessarily a character flaw? You would say that it is deeply, deeply wired in him as a person."

What do you think? Is adultery unavoidable for some men?

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (20)


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  • Forrest wrote...
    Oh John
    November 13, 2012 11:03 am
    What would Jesus do?
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  • MB405 wrote...
    Two Things...
    November 13, 2012 11:22 am
    All men are inheritantly cheaters...it's called being a sinner. Two wrongs don't make a right. Acting upon this desire clearly has consequences which in my opinion makes these "leaders" idiots and grossly undermines any other intelligence they've exhibited. Secondly, knowing John this doesn't shock me in the slightest to be coming from him :( I think this is a backhanded way of justifying certain behaviors.
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  • Golfer66 wrote...
    one more thing MB405
    November 15, 2012 9:45 pm
    You equate natural animal instincts to sin?? Methinks you have forgotten humans are animal.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    If men are "Hardwired" to cheat,
    November 13, 2012 11:35 am
    how about the woman that must be wired the same to look for and hook up with those cheaters?
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  • maplefish wrote...
    Especially
    November 13, 2012 11:51 am
    If your spouse turnes into a fat, mean, obnoxious, inconsiderate, screaming pig....That can make it can happen as well...
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  • spoon&fork wrote...
    @maplefish
    November 13, 2012 12:11 pm
    all of those characteristics were probably present in her when you met her. Shouldn't have married her. Pay closer attention next time.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    Too True
    November 13, 2012 5:58 pm
    Had to learn the hard way! Cost me a fortune!!!
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  • Drool wrote...
    Maplefish
    November 13, 2012 4:55 pm
    I guess that's why Limbaugh has trouble staying married.
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  • Lillyrose125 wrote...
    Don't Agree John
    November 13, 2012 1:28 pm
    I think it just has to do with power. You are rich, powerful, and start thinking you can do whatever you want. Then there are the wannabe's out there that are just waiting for the opportunity to get a peice of the pie. It is human nature. I also don't think Clinton is brilliant - he is charismatic and was in position of power.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    I kind of agree with John
    November 13, 2012 4:30 pm

    I think men's nature is to look at other fish in the see. I think you separate the men from the boy's when the opportunity present's itself to you. The boy will take the opportunity and the MAN will pass respectfully on the opportunity. You can be a heck of a leader, but a BOY when it comes to your own relationships. Being a powerful leader and being a powerful family man, father, brother, grandparent and/or husband are not mutually exclusive.

    Patreus was basically a trick when it came to fawning beautiful women and him being shown for the trick that he is has come to light.

    Move on nothing to see here, there are millions of male tricks in the world, I am just glad that I am blessed to not be one at this time,lol.

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  • 509 wrote...
    Biology?? John did you take ANY science classes in college.....10 level does not count
    November 13, 2012 4:37 pm
    President Clinton had the best answer " he had the affair because he could"......... He lost his license to practice law and got impeached by Congress............ Having an affair in a position of power is a sign of weakness. If sex is more important to you than "doing the people's business" you really need another career.
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  • BeenThere wrote...
    sportsguru....Well said.
    November 14, 2012 9:28 pm
    Stay loyal.
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  • Drool wrote...
    I Guess...
    November 13, 2012 7:50 pm
    ...something was hard...pretty sure it wasn't wiring though.
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  • Impractical wrote...
    There is a word for this
    November 13, 2012 8:58 pm
    It is called meglomania. Websters defines it as a form of mental illness where the person possess delusions of greatness, grandeur or god like powers. All of the people Curley mentioned were/are meglomaniacs. Remember, absolute power, absolutely corrupts, who said that?
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  • HLC wrote...
    509 nailed it.
    November 15, 2012 7:31 am
    The will to resist an affair is where real strength shows. The general is weak of character and who knows if this is the first time. Anything he says from now on can be questioned. If he would cheat on his wife would he also cheat on his country?
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  • roomtemp wrote...
    Hard wired in strong men?
    November 15, 2012 6:06 pm
    I think you have it backwards. Letting biological urges rule your actions is a sign of weakness and selfishness, not strength. Particularly when your actions will hurt someone else and dishonor you.

    Sure, everybody has them. It's what you do with them that matters. That's one of the things that separate us from the animal kingdom.

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