The Mismeasure of Desire: The Science, Theory, and Ethics of Sexual Orientation / Edition 1

by Edward Stein

Overview

The first book-length critique of scientific research on sexuality exposes the flaws of such research and grapples with the ethical dilemmas it raises. 22 line illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195142440
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	05/28/2001
Series:	Ideologies of Desire Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Edward Stein is the author of Without Good Reason: The Rationality Debate in Philosophy and Cognitive Science (OUP) and the editor of Forms of Desire: Sexual Orientation and the Social Constructionist Controversy. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from M.I.T. and has taught at Yale University, New York University, Mount Holyoke College, and Williams College. He will be receiving a J.D. from Yale Law School in 2000.

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

Editorial Reviews

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.
— 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. 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.

Library Journal

"Should be the first title on any queer studies reading list. Intelligent, well-researched, and well-written. A gem of philosophical debate."—Library Journal

"The Mismeasure of Desire is the best analysis in print of the many theories of what causes sexual orientation. Stein's analysis bears importantly on constitutional issues such as the level of equal protection scrutiny courts should apply to sexual orientation classifications and the rationality of anti-gay of 'no promo homo' state policies."—William Eskridge, Yale Law School

"Here Edward Stein explains, analyzes, and criticizes the notion that sexual orientation is biological, and therefore not chosen or changeable, and therefore an unfair basis for moral condemnation and also therefore protected from discrimination by our norms and laws requiring equality. He brings his prodigious skill as an analytic philosopher to bear on a conceptual, scientific, ethical and legal problem of great complexity, not only putting the problem on a new footing but setting an example for honesty, clarity and care in thinking about controversial social issues. Stein reminds us that slipshod pro-gay thinking is not really pro-gay. I wish he could write us a book every year."—Janet E. Halley, Professor of Law and Robert E. Paradise Faculty Scholar, Stanford University

"An expertly analytical contribution to the literature, The Mismeasure of Desire re-sets the stage of debate and action."—Christopher Moore, The Dartmouth Contemporary

From the Publisher