This is a 430-word essay on Robin Demroff’s theory of Bidimensional Dispositionalism and a limit to the number of sexual orientations. It also outlines the various orientations that are possible in society.
Philosophy 325
Dr. Sher
04/09/2018
Journal 8
According to Robin Demroff’s theory of Bidimensional Dispositionalism (BD), there is an
X amount of potential sexual orientations that can develop. X is an unknown factor because the
human dimension of sexuality, in its totality is unknown. As we begin identifying sexual
orientations that appear to be legitimate, yet still go against society’s concept of what is
normative, as is evident with homosexual orientation, society will begin loosening its more
hard-lined ideas as certain orientations subsequently become part of the new “norm.”
Hopefully, other sexual orientations will be accepted with less passionate and violent
resistance. While there’s no mistaking the fact that the majority, if not all, of our culture’s
concept of sexual orientation is the result of hundreds of years of religious indoctrination, it can
only be deduced that Demroff’s theory will perhaps never come to full fruition. Nonetheless,
the theory does provide a good launching pad for the discussion of how newly understood
sexual orientations can be received. The underlying idea, I think, is that it’s essential for people
of all orientations to be accepted and protected by society’s laws and cultural mores.
Some have proposed the idea it would be virtually impossible to socially and legally
accommodate all of the present orientations, not to mention those that haven’t been
discovered yet. However, the acceptance of these orientations is a slow and tedious process
and careful contemplation along with scientific and intellectual debate could easily result in a
fair, equitable, and humane treatment of everybody.
After careful consideration, I have come up with these orientations as being, at this
time, the best understood in our society.
A person:
who is attracted to women that identify as female
who is attracted to women that identify as male
who is attracted to men that identify as male
who is attracted to men that identify as female
who is attracted to intersex with male dominating organs
who is attracted to intersex with female dominating organs
I am well aware of the fact that there is potentially an unlimited combination of these
orientations. The dilemma of sexual orientation identification can be best summed up with a
terrific quote by American paleoanthropologist Ian Tattersall, who said, “it is highly probable,
that from the very beginning, apart from death, the only ironclad rule of human experience, has
been the law of unintended consequences.” Thus, if evolutionary science has taught us
anything, it’s that genetic mutations are infinite, unreliable, and random. Therefore,
tomorrow’s notions of how humans relate to each other sexually, could look entirely different
than they do today.
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