If there is enough contradictory evidence, it should put the underlying theory in doubt. The principles can’t be considered principles if there are so many exceptions. The problem is that Bateman’s and Trivers’ ideas have taken on such a life of their own that this does not appear to make much difference. ‘I think people are hung on Bateman’s principles. They say that the principles stand whether the data are right or not,’ says Gowaty.
