Rules about sexuality, both written and unwritten, have existed across cultures, often leading to disagreements on what is acceptable. Must morally permissible sex serve only one function? Must it be heterosexual and confined to marriage, accompanied by emotions like love? Raymond Belliotti addresses these enduring questions, exploring issues such as the origins of gender roles, the nature of morally permissible sex, and the complexities of heterosexuality and homosexuality. He provides a historical and contemporary survey of philosophies, from ancient Greek dualism to feminism, distinguishing between morally permissible and ideal sex. Belliotti introduces a provocative five-tier framework for sexual ethics, emphasizing libertarian agreement, contextual moral precepts, economic and sexual exploitation, third-party effects, and the broader social implications of sexual activity. By applying this framework to various sexual practices, including heterosexuality, homosexuality, bestiality, necrophilia, incest, and prostitution, he connects sexual ethics to sociopolitical theory and core philosophical issues. Additionally, he develops a new theory of sexual ethics that seeks to reconcile mainstream Western moralities with leftist and feminist critiques. Through this examination, Belliotti reveals insights into human nature and potential.
Raymond A. Belliotti Books
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