Mismeasure of Desire: The Science, Theory and Ethics of Sexual Orientation (Ideologies of Desire) - Hardcover

"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

A critical analysis of scientific research on sexual orientation, its methodological and ontological assumptions and its ethical implications. The book argues that we are far from understanding how human sexual desires originate and that our thinking about sexual orientations and the issues relating to them are based on unfounded cultural assumptions on sexual orientation. In a clear, careful and accessible style, the book examines and extends contemporary thinking about human sexual desire.