Do the “Expository” tasks meaning that it asks you to only explain an argument and not evaluate it
(“evaluating it” means taking your own stance and arguing for it), i.e. to explain a debate (an
objection against another view or argument) from the readings. Recall that a debate consists of an
argument that objects to some other argument or view – this latter argument/view being
the “target” of the objection
Also do an “EVALUATIVE” task: To take a stance on a debate and to
argue for your stance with your own reasons. Taking a stance on a debate means
taking a side, either the side of the objection or the side of the target argument or view
which the objection is aimed at undermining. If you take the side of the objection, then you
will need to give your own reasons – or argument – for thinking that the objection
succeeds in undermining the target argument or view it is aimed at; if you take the side of
the target argument or view being objected to in the debate, then you will need to give
your own reasons – or argument – for thinking that the objection fails to undermine the
target argument or view.
Thomas’ Objection to the View That Sex Is Necessary to Romantic Love
• Natasha McKeever presents a view about romantic love, on which sex is necessary
for a relationship to be considered a romantic relationship in typical cases (typical
cases being those in which there are no reasons that the romantic partners do not want to have sex or cannot have sex in general). Laurence Thomas objects to this
view, using his hypothetical example involving two crystal glasses to do so. In his
example, there is a convention in society where when two people become good
friends, they purchase two crystal glasses together to symbolize their deep
friendship. Because he thinks that the expectations of fidelity that these friends
would have would mirror expectations of fidelity in romantic relationships, he
concludes that sexual attraction is not a necessary part of the love in romantic
relationships. (Thomas’ argument occurs mainly on page 15, lines 23-61, although
some important other parts of his reasoning are stated on page 16, lines 49-56.)
• YOUR TASKS: First, explain McKeever’s view concerning the role that sex plays in
romantic love in typical cases.
Second, explain Thomas’ objection to this view –
that is, explain how Thomas uses his crystal glasses example to argue that sex is not
a necessary part of the love in romantic relationships.
Third, state your own stance
on the debate – i.e. whether you think that Thomas’ crystal glassware objection
successfully undermines McKeever’s view (that sex is necessary for romantic love)
or not – and defend that stance at length with your own reasons.
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