Ancient Greek philosophers, medieval theologians, Enlightenment thinkers, and contemporary humanists alike have debated all aspects of human sexuality, including its purpose, permissibility, normalcy, and risks. Philosophizing About Sex provides a philosophical guide to those longstanding and important debates. Each chapter takes a general issue (freedom, privacy, objectification, etc.) and shows how ongoing public discussions of sexuality can be illuminated by careful philosophical investigation. Debates over topics such as sexual assault, sexual orientation, sex education, prostitution, and “sexting” involve larger questions about morality, law, science, and politics and cannot be intelligently discussed in isolation from broader issues. By asking deceptively simple questions, this book shows how difficult but important it is to arrive at satisfying answers.

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Robert Scott Stewart is a Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Cape Breton University. He has published widely in applied philosophy and philosophy and literature. With Laurie Shrage, he is currently writing a text, Philosophizing About Sex (Broadview Press forthcoming). For four months in the fall of 2008, he taught for Semester at Sea, a program sponsored by the University of Virginia, which teaches over 700 university students per voyage while sailing round the world. During the trip, he ate more buffet-style cafeteria meals aboard ship than he cares to remember, but he also got to sample some wonderful food in eleven different countries and take a few cooking classes along the way.

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“The book is beautifully written, managing the difficult task of being accessible, friendly to the non-philosopher or beginner, judicious in its treatment of the various arguments, comprehensive and up to date in its awareness of the range of writing on any topic, and yet philosophically robust and rich. … the best available introduction to the philosophy of sex.” — David Archard, The Philosophical Quarterly

“In equal measures comprehensive and conversational, substantive and subtle, Philosophizing About Sex is a welcome introduction to the field. Philosophers of every tradition, age, and persuasion—as well as scholars from a variety of disciplines—are put into conversation to illuminate such complex issues as privacy, violence, identity, and law, always with the goal of clarifying, rather than resolving, central questions. Shrage and Stewart’s book makes classroom discussions regarding philosophy and sex an inviting prospect.” — Ann Cahill, Elon University

“Shrage and Stewart cover a comprehensive range of topics throughout the domain of human sexuality and sexual activity, including a host of recent newsworthy subjects, such as ‘cybersex,’ trans-gender issues, polyamory, ‘sexting,’ ‘revenge porn,’ BDSM, and female genital mutilation. The writing is philosophically rich, but crisp and easily readable. In short, this book shows the wisdom that comes from the authors’ having taught through this material many, many times.” — Scott A. Anderson, University of British Columbia

“Finally, we have a first-rate introduction to the philosophy of sex and love. While providing a comprehensive overview, Philosophizing About Sex manages to balance attention to important introductory philosophical topics with a full engagement with much of the best of the core literature. And it does so with a genuine concern for making both available to the new reader. Fortunately, as we find in excellent textbooks, some ideas are wisely left open for further investigation where others are treated more provocatively, inviting critical engagement by more experienced readers. Enjoy!” — Helga Varden, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“A superb new text in the philosophy of sex! Shrage and Stewart review the central issues and classic texts along with the newest issues arising as law, technology, and mores change (for instance: cyber-rape). A first-rate overview of the literature, both historical and contemporary, and a riveting discussion of conceptual and ethical issues. The book is clearly written and accessible, with plenty of rich examples as well as philosophical depth—I am looking forward to using it in class!” — Elizabeth Brake, Arizona State University

“Shrage and Stewart provide a sorely needed textbook on timely topics of great philosophical interest.” — Matt L. Drabek, Hypatia: A Journal of Feminist Philosophy

“Overall, Shrage and Stewart have created a well-written and accessible introduction to current issues in philosophizing about sex. Their book offers an invaluable tool for anyone looking to bring some of the many conversations about sexual violence and harassment on campus in general (and in philosophy in particular) into the learning environment, and as such should be a welcome addition to core reading lists across a range of courses.” — F. Vera-Gray, Durham University, APA Newsletter