The Mismeasure of Desire: The Science, Theory, and Ethics of Sexual Orientation
In the last decade, fierce controversy has arisen over the nature of sexual orientation. Scientific research, religious views, increasingly ambiguous gender roles, and the growing visibility of sexual minorities have sparked impassioned arguments about whether our sexual desires are hard-wired in our genes or shaped by the changing forces of society.\ In recent years scientific research and popular opinion have favored the idea that sexual orientations are determined at birth, but...
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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. Library Journal - Jeffrey Ingram As with most gems of philosophical debate, Stein's book poses a lot more questions than it answers, but his intelligent, well-researched, and well-written primer should be the first title on any queer studies reading list....More interesting and more accessible than its rather daunting title would suggest.
PrefaceIntroduction3Pt. IMetaphysics1Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation232What Is a Sexual Orientation?393Human Kinds714Essentialism and Constructionism about Sexual Orientation93Pt. IIScience5The Emerging Scientific Program for the Study of Sexual Orientation1196Animal Models and Evolutionary Accounts in the Emerging Research Program1647Critique of the Emerging Research Program1908Experiential Theories of Sexual Orientation2299Sexual Orientation and Choice258Pt. IIIEthics10Lesbian and Gay Rights and the Science of Sexual Orientation27711Selecting and Changing the Sexual Orientation of Children30512Should Scientific Research on Sexual Orientation Be Done?328Conclusion342Notes349Bibliography359Index383
\ Jeffrey IngramAs with most gems of philosophical debate, Stein's book poses a lot more questions than it answers, but his intelligent, well-researched, and well-written primer should be the first title on any queer studies reading list....More interesting and more accessible than its rather daunting title would suggest.\ — Library Journal\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalAs with most gems of philosophical debate, Stein's book poses a lot more questions than it answers, but his intelligent, well-researched, and well-written primer should be the first title on any queer studies reading list. Stein, a law degree candidate and philosophy lecturer from Yale, critically examines the entire concept of scientific research into sexual orientation. The book is divided into three parts: metaphysical (i.e., What is sexual orientation?), scientific (Where does it come from?), and ethical (What should be done with knowledge gained from such research?). The work builds beautifully from the fundamentals, refining the often mixed-up concepts of sexual desire, orientation, and gender. The two major branches of scientific research into sexual orientation are also examined. Finally, Stein explores the ethical questions raised by the application of results of this research. More interesting and more accessible than its rather daunting title would suggest, this book is highly recommended for most larger libraries and all gay studies collections.--Jeffery Ingram, Newport P.L., OR Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.\ \
