Carmen Gete-Alonso, Emeritus Professor of Civil Law, and Adolfo Tobeña, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, delivered a lecture on Tuesday, April 16, at the Mestre Martí Tauler Library (Rubí) in front of an audience of 30 people. They were interested in the evolution of marriage as an institution, from its legal origins to the neurobiological connections that influence sexual and affective relationships.
Gete-Alonso began the presentation by outlining the legal evolution of marriage throughout history. She traced the changes from Roman law, with its distinctions between types of marriages, to the modern reforms that have allowed for greater flexibility and the recognition of different forms of union. She highlighted the transition from the medieval canonical model to the inclusion of civil marriages in the 19th century, culminating in the recent acceptance of same-sex marriage and the dissolution of marriage by mutual consent.
On the other hand, Tobeña explored the "erotic brain" from a neurobiological perspective. He explained how complex brain and hormonal mechanisms influence human sexual and affective behavior. He described "imperfect monogamy," a tendency to form pairs with flexibility while maintaining interest in other individuals, reflecting a characteristic uncommon among mammals.
Tobeña also explained the role of neurobiology in the phenomenon of falling in love, a biological process that triggers intense attraction and hormonal changes. According to Tobeña, this mechanism encourages the formation and maintenance of long-lasting bonds in the human species.
The lecture concluded with a Q&A session and an open debate on the aspects discussed during the presentation.
