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4 pages/β‰ˆ1100 words
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APA
Subject:
Social Sciences
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Term Paper
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Are We Having Sex Now or What?

Term Paper Instructions:

It's a sexual philosophy paper based on Christina's article.
MAKE SURE TO READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
An important aspect of philosophical thinking is the ability to do conceptual analysis. Greta Christina Preview the document's paper is a great example of this. Throughout her paper, she proposes a definition of sex, discusses how that definition captures several cases that intuitively count as sex, but then discusses some more complicated cases that either show that the definition is too broad (i.e., it includes or counts some case as an instance of sex when intuitively it should not) or too narrow (i.e., it excludes some case from counting as an instance of sex when we intuitively think it should count).
This paper assignment is divided into two parts.
Part one:
Expand on one of Greta Christina's several different definitions of sex and explain how that definition is problematic. For example, Christina says, "Perhaps having sex with someone is the conscious, consenting, mutually acknowledged pursuit of shared sexual pleasure." You might explain this definition (or one of the other ones that she considers) by giving a (fictional) example and showing how it exemplifies each of the features listed in the definition. Then, you should explain why that definition is problematic. For example, you could explain how there are cases that we intuitively count (or don't count) as sex but aren't (or are) counted as sex according to the definition (i.e., state whether the definition is too broad or too narrow, or both, and show how).
Part two:
This part has two options. The first is less challenging than the second, but the second, if done well, can score higher points than the first.
Option 1 : Clearly articulate a second definition from Christina that attempts to address some of the problematic aspects of the definition you discussed in part one. Then, as you did in part one, explain how even this second definition could be problematic (Is it too broad? too narrow? both? Show how).
Option 2 : Propose your own definition -- a definition of sex that Christina does not consider. Show how that definition might handle some of the complicated cases that she discusses. Then, clearly state what the shortcomings of your proposed definition might be. For example, you should clearly state how the definition could be too broad or too narrow (or both) by presenting relevant counterexamples.
You should take as a clear example of good writing the last two pages of Christina's essay. Notice how she structures the discussion. She considers a definition. Then she discusses how some cases clearly fit that definition, then some cases that don't (AGAIN either because the definition is too broad, i.e. it includes cases that do not count as sex, or because the definition is too narrow, i.e. the definition excludes cases that do count as sex).
With that in mind, this paper will be graded according to the following rubric:
(10 points) Part One: Clear presentation of definition from Christina. Persuasively shows why definition is unsatisfactory.
(10 points) Part Two: Clear presentation and discussion of a definition of sex that follows up on the definition in part one (either from Christina or your own). In the case that the presentation is another definition from Christina, make sure that the discussion of it is clear and that any problems with it are clearly stated. In the case that you present your own definition, it is important to demonstrate BOTH an understanding of how the proposed definition captures several complications discussed in the reading AND recognizing potential difficulties with the definition.
(2 points) Overall structure: Is the discussion well-ordered and easy to follow?
(1 point) Grammar and spelling: Are there errors in spelling and/or grammar?
(2 points) Style: Is the writing clear and concise (that's good), or is it obscure (that's bad)?
FORMATTING:
Papers should be 3 pages double spaced, 1" margins, 12pt font (preferably New Times Roman, but anything that's easy to read is acceptable). To be clear, formatting is not nearly as important as the content of the paper. If you happen to go over or under by a few lines, don't fret. Especially DO NOT try to make it appear as if you've written more than you have. Again, it's what you've said and how you've said it that matters, not how the words on the page appear.
DUE DATE:
Your papers must be submitted to smartsite by 11:59pm on Feb 21st. Late papers will not be accepted.
GRADES:
All papers will be electronically returned to you at least three days prior to the final exam. You can find them as an attachment on the "assignments" tab just below where you attached your paper. Please read over the comments that were provided for your benefit.
Regarding Part2's Options, you can choose whichever is better, but I prefer to write the second one because I can get more points haha.

Term Paper Sample Content Preview:

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Are We Having Sex Now or What?
Sex is defined in various ways. Sex and sexuality do not only focus on two erotic people in a bed. Traditionally, when one hears the word "sex", the first definition that would come to the mind is vaginal sex which is defined by Oxford as a sexual interaction among individuals that involves penetration, specifically the penis, into a vagina to reach orgasm and ejaculation of semen (Lexico, n.d.). However, Merriam-Webster dictionary provided a second meaning which stated that it is intercourse (e.g. anal or oral sex) that does not require penis penetration into the vagina (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). As broad as it is, the definition is not just limited to vaginal sex since there's also oral sex, anal sex, and other sexual behaviors and activities that do not involve penetration.
One of the definitions suggested by Greta Christina in the article Are We Having Sex Now or What, having sex is the "conscious, consenting, mutually acknowledged pursuit of shared sexual pleasure". As pointed out in the article, it includes the aspect of consent and/or acknowledgment, the feeling of pleasure, and is being reciprocated. This can be shown in a situation wherein two consenting adults, whether in a relationship or not, engage in sexual activities that are both pleasurable to them. This is not only limited to the penetration of the woman's genital but also includes oral sex and sexual activities that would result in the feeling of being sexually aroused. In these circumstances, the provided definition of sex and its aspects have been satisfied (Christina, n.d.).
The definition that was presented, however, is somewhat problematic in some sense and has loopholes. First, it was stated that the person should be conscious. In a situation wherein a guy brought home his drunk girlfriend who passed out due to a lot of alcohol consumed, he was feeling lustful at that time, and decided to foreplay her to wake her up. The girl moaned in an erotic way that prompted the guy to continue what he is doing, assuming that he received a "go" signal from his partner. The girl is not fully awake due to her drunkenness but is conscious of the situation based on her response. When sober, the girlfriend would usually give consent to his boyfriend. Some might argue that it is sexual harassment, some might say it is considered as rape. But in this situation, would it still be considered as sex, as it satisfies one aspect of the definition (Christina, n.d.)?
Another loophole in the definition is "consent". Sexual acts or behaviors without any consent or is done forcefully by an individual is considered as sexual harassment and/or rape. Nowadays, most couples who may be in a romantic relationship or not engaged in sexual activities. But this does not mean that all who participated in sexual behaviors enjoy it (Christina, n.d.).. There are situations in which a person may give permission to his / her partner to engage in sexual activities because of other reasons such as the person's overwhelming love to his / her partner and doesn't want to say no or turn them down in any way or in a situation where both are doing it because both assumed that the other perso...
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