Philosophy of Sex - Detailseite

In this seminar we will discuss central philosophical questions around sex and sexuality. We begin by considering the social ontological and conceptual questions around the nature of sex, sexual orientation and sexual desire: What is sex? What constitutes a sexual act? What is the link between sex and desire? How can we understand sexual orientation? What is the relation between gender and sexual orientation? We then move on to discuss the moral questions around sex, including issues of sexual consent, pornography, and the commodification of sex. Finally, we think about the ethical issues around sexual relations: what constitutes good sex? What is the relation between sex and romantic relationships? Is monogamy good?

This seminar involves participation in a two-day graduate conference on the philosophy of sex which I am organising in cooperation with Christine Bratu (University of Göttingen). The graduate conference will take place in the week from 21.-25. February. Participation in this conference is a requirement to gain credits for active participation in this seminar. I will specify all details in the first session.