Luke Brunning

Intimacy can be joyous, but also confusing and socially constrained. This book reveals how philosophy can deepen our understanding of how we date, fall in love, have sex, and form relationships. Brunning and McKeever explore some of today’s significant questions around love and relationships, with a focus on underexplored topics and contemporary research. Should we stop talking in terms of sexual orientations? What are the responsibilities of dating app companies? Could flirting be a virtue? Might a drug produce authentic love? Must we take responsibility for who we find attractive? When is consensual sex bad? Should governments ban sex robots? Is relationship anarchy the future of intimac? ngagingly written, and rich with real-world examples, The Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Relationships is a crucial resource for students, researchers, and anyone who wants to join the growing conversation around the philosophy of intimacy.

Even with the current rise in awareness of sexual and intimate diversity, monogamous relationships remain the cultural norm. Most people aspire to it and the state encourages it, providing legal and financial benefits to married couples; however, statistics show adultery is commonplace, marriage rates are falling, and divorce figures are rising. Does Monogamy Work? - the twelfth book in The Big Idea series - traces the evolution and normalization of the monogamous ideal, questioning whether it is 'natural' or not, and surveying the spectrum of alternative relationship models that people are seeking out in a world of internet dating and scientific control over reproduction. It explores the emotional and psychological facets of ethical polyamorous relationships; questions whether these relationships benefit men disproportionately and whether they are compatible with raising children; and assesses the likelihood that diverse forms of multi-partner marriages and large friendship networks will become the norm in the future. With over 150 colour images and incisive, engaging and authoritative text, this book examines society's attachment to monogamy, evaluates its benefits and limitations, and asses the merits of polyamorous relationship models in our modern world.