Final answer:
Incest taboos and exogamy are adaptively advantageous because they promote genetically healthy communities and create new social ties and alliances, fostering genetic diversity and broader social networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Incest taboos and exogamy are adaptively advantageous primarily because they promote forms of genetically healthy communities and create new social ties and alliances. These taboos prohibit sexual relations within closely related kin, reducing the risk of genetic disorders that can arise from inbreeding. By encouraging exogamous marriages, or unions between individuals from different social categories, societies foster genetic diversity, which contributes to the health of future generations.
Furthermore, exogamy often requires individuals to form bonds with people outside of their immediate social group, thereby leading to the establishment of broader social networks and alliances. These connections can be advantageous for both the individuals and the groups to which they belong, offering support and resources that can be called upon in times of need.
It should be noted that while taboos can create certain tensions within the primary family, their role in promoting biological soundness and social cohesion often outweighs this potential drawback. Hence, the primary argument for the adaptiveness of incest taboos and exogamy lies in their contribution to genetic health and social integration.