Paleogal asked:

 >My question about this: Why would anyone need such high temps to cook food?

I don't think people need it, but if you turn the flame up too high under
your pan, or don't put food in it right away, you can reach the smoke point
unintentionally. And the higher it is the more room for error you have.

On this page: http://www.foodsubs.com/Oils.html I find "Cooking notes: Nut
oils are best used in cold dishes; heat destroys their delicate flavor."

Here's another page on oils:
http://eat.epicurious.com/dictionary/food/index.ssf?DEF_ID=2949

Don.