The Cancelled Professor: Men Are Hardwired To Cheat! - Dr Gad Saad

In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett sits down with Dr Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist who challenges contemporary narratives about human behavior by examining our biological and evolutionary foundations. Throughout the conversation, Saad presents evidence-based arguments about mating behaviors, family dynamics, and happiness that have earned him the label of being controversial in modern academia.

Saad begins by explaining what evolutionary behavioral science actually does, establishing a framework for understanding why humans behave the way they do. He introduces the concept of the Mate Desirability Score, a measurable metric that can predict relationship success by evaluating factors like status, resources, health, and fertility. This scientific approach to relationships challenges the notion that love and partnership are purely emotional endeavors.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on monogamy and infidelity. Saad argues that humans are not naturally monogamous, citing evolutionary evidence that men are biologically driven toward multiple partners. However, he frames this not as moral justification but as biological fact. He explains that men's investment in families evolved specifically because of paternity uncertainty, which is why children resembling their fathers became important for ensuring paternal care. This evolutionary lens provides context for understanding gender differences in sexual strategy and desire.

The conversation explores masculinity and femininity in modern society, with Saad arguing that contemporary culture has created confusion about what these traits actually are. He discusses how men and women are desirable for different characteristics, rooted in evolutionary biology, and how ignoring these differences has created unhappiness rather than liberation.

Barlett and Saad engage in a substantial discussion about social and political issues, including woke culture, freedom of speech, and research integrity. Saad emphasizes that speaking truth in research should not harm others, and that scientific findings about human differences should not be suppressed for ideological reasons. He advocates for equality of opportunity while questioning the feasibility and desirability of equality of outcome.

Throughout the episode, Saad connects evolutionary understanding to practical life advice. He discusses how understanding our nature leads to happiness, the importance of building self-awareness, and how to achieve high status as either a man or woman. He addresses contentious topics like pornography and its effects on productivity, parenting conflicts with evolutionary impulses, and whether opposites truly attract.

The episode represents a deep dive into uncomfortable truths about human nature, presented through the lens of evolutionary psychology. While provocative, Saad's arguments are grounded in research and observation, offering listeners an alternative framework for understanding relationships, gender, and human behavior that contrasts sharply with many contemporary cultural narratives.