The mismeasure of desire : the science, theory, and ethics of sexual orientation
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The mismeasure of desire : the science, theory, and ethics of sexual orientation
（Ideologies of desire / series editor, David M. Halperin）（Oxford paperbacks）
Oxford University Press, 2001
- : pbk
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 359-381) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
In recent years scientific research and popular opinion have favored the idea that sexual orientations are determined at birth. In this book, philosopher and legal theorist Edward Stein investigates scientific research on sexual orientation and shows that it is deeply flawed. He argues that this research assumes a picture of sexual desire that reflects unquestioned cultural stereotypes rather than cross-cultural scientific facts, and that it suffers from serious
methodological problems. He then asks whether sexual orientation is amenable to empirical study and if it is useful for our understanding of human nature to categorize people based on their sexual desires. Perhaps most importantly, Stein examines some of the ethical issues surrounding such research,
including gay and lesbian civil rights and the implications of parents trying to select or change the sexual orientation of their children.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I: Metaphysics
- 1. Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
- 2. What Is a Sexual Orientation?
- 3. Human Kinds
- 4. Essentialism and Constructionism about Sexual Orientation
- Part II: Science
- 5. The Emerging Scientific Program for the Study of Sexual Orientation
- 6. Animal Models and Evolutionary Accounts in the Emerging Research Program
- 7. Critique of the Emerging Research Program
- 8. Experiential Theories of Sexual Orientation
- 9. Sexual Orientation and Choice
- Part III: Ethics
- 10. Lesbian and Gay Rights and the Science of Sexual Orientation
- 11. Selecting and Changing the Sexual Orientation of Children
- 12. Should Scientific Research on Sexual Orientation Be Done?
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
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