[hitekker]

The private desire to please oneself motivates apathy to any strict morality forbidding that self-pleasure. I suspect more so than any supposed rationality; see atheists and religion.

The article on Russell is actually quite relevant to the overall discussion on polyamory & unfaithfulness. The final quote by Russell on his realization of what eluded him in his life, nails it.

  Through the long years
  I sought peace
  I found ecstasy, I found anguish,
  I found madness,
  I found loneliness,
  I found the solitary pain
  that gnaws the heart,
  But peace I did not find.
  Now, old & near my end,
  I have known you,
  And, knowing you,
  I have found both ecstasy & peace
  I know rest
  After so many lonely years.
  I know what life & love may be.
  Now, if I sleep
  I shall sleep fulfilled.

[alternative_a]

> I suspect the private desire to please oneself motivates apathy to a strict morality forbidding that self-pleasure. More so than any supposed rationality; see atheists and religion.

That theory of yours has legs, imo. (see below ;)

> Through the long years

Russell is borrowing heavily from king Solomon here .. /g