Sexuality And Intellectualism

Sexual emotionalism, the habit of basing beliefs about sexual metaphysics and ethics on emotion, has enjoyed a major stronghold in the church and secular world for much of recorded human history.  In one sense, this is hardly surprising: stupidity and assumptions are the historical norm.  Nevertheless, this emotionalism and many of the reactions against it have led to the damaging results of sexual prudery, sexual legalism, and indulgence in immoral sexual behaviors.

One of the first steps to fighting sexual emotionalism and its consequences is simply admitting that sexuality is not in opposition to reason.  Sexual passion is not an enemy of rationality.  Indeed, one cannot thoroughly understand it (or anything else) apart from reason.  It is only the embrace of sexual emotionalism, a rather common thing in contemporary Western culture in both Christian and secular circles alike, that is contrary to reason, as there is no disparity between developing or appreciating the deep intellectual and sexual dimensions of one's existence.

Sound intellectualism does not oppose or trivialize the open acknowledgment or enjoyment of sexuality.  Even strong sexual feelings do not overpower the intellect and usurp its role as the foundation of all aspects of human existence; it is not as if humans are utterly powerless before sexual impulses, losing rationality and self-control because of them--although conservative evangelicals often suggest that this is the case.  Only inadequate resolve leads to the thoughtless indulgence of sexual desires, no matter the circumstances or desires in question.

A given person is never irrational for experiencing sexual feelings.  It is how someone handles them that determines if he or she is irrational.  However, a perceived divide between rationality and sexuality has still persisted in the minds of many Christians, who often attempt to compartmentalize sexuality from theology and philosophy as a whole except with regard to several very specific ethical matters (such as the morality of homosexual behaviors).  This nonexistent division hinders the pursuit of accurate sexual theology.

The implied premise that sexuality is too petty or overpowering to associate with reason is nothing but yet another thoroughly misguided attitude to emerge from Christian academia.  On the contrary, sexuality is one of the deepest aspects of human existence, and it is thus worthy of thorough examination by consistently intelligent philosophers (there aren't many of them!).  After all, there are many common fallacies that have infected the general public's perceptions of sexuality for millennia, and the non sequiturs involved in trying to separate sexuality and intellectualism are among them.