重新評估亞倫‧高文的性平實論──再思性的定義

Reassessing Alan Goldman’s Plain Sex View: Rethinking the Definition of Sex

高文 (Alan Goldman) 在 1977 出版了論文為性平實論辯護，他認為性只不過是透過接觸別人的身體而獲得快感──就是這麼平實或平凡，並無其他奧妙或神聖的東西。性也不是為了甚麼目的而存在，如繁殖、溝通、愛與委身等等，都與性不相干。他的性平實論非常有影響力，很多人認為他已成功駁斥傳統的性道德，但事實上他的分析就算在世俗性哲學家當中，也受到嚴厲批評。本論文會透過多個反例顯示性平實論的概念分析面對種種問題。

In a paper published in 1977, Alan Goldman argued for a Plain Sex View. The idea is that the purpose of sex is simply pleasure derived from contact with another person's body, and other ends like reproduction, communication, expression of love and commitment and so on are irrelevant. This article has been immensely influential, and is still regarded by many as a convincing refutation of traditional sexual morality. In this paper, I will critically evaluate his plain sex analysis and argue that it is vulnerable to numerous counterexamples.