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Submitted to Cincinnati Enquirer
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March 6, 1998

Defining Nature

(Information in italic represents expanded arguments to the submitted letter)
David Coburn has "questions for those who think being gay is normal" [Fri., Feb. 20, 1998]. He laments if homosexuality is "natural", why not pedophilia, bestiality, or promiscuity?  Let's give him some answers. 

There are two problems with the question itself. First, he used "nature" in its modern sense of "biological nature" rather than the correct sense of the "ideal nature" conceived by ancient philosophers. Second, he falsely assumes a relationship between "biological nature" and morality.  

It does not take a lot of imagination to understand why "biological nature" is a poor basis for morality. Incest is very common in "biological nature". Mammalian promiscuity, infanticide, and aggression are all "biologically natural", but not necessarily moral. 

Morality is the expression of what is "biologically natural" within the context of what is socially necessary. Historically, morality has been based on "ideal nature", which ultimately is culturally determined. This tradition reached its most influential development under St. Thomas Aquinas. As an example, he reflected the patriarchal values of his day in assuming that "Woman is naturally [naturaliter] of less character [minoris virtutis] and dignity than man". Women were considered defective males since "the active force of the male seed intends to produce something similar to itself, perfect in its masculinity."  Thus, historical systems based on "nature" opposed shaving, growing flowers indoors, dyeing garments, regular bathing , birth control, and scores of other activities performed daily by the dame people who use the term "unnatural" to justify their antipathy toward gay people. 

For homosexuality the "ideal nature" connection is simple. One of our most honored cultural values is the distinction between the private and public spheres of "consenting adults". That homosexuality is biologically natural is irrelevant.  

Pedophilla, and its corollary the sexuality of children themselves, is a much more complicated issue. Pedophila may well be "biologically natural".  Like homosexuality, it appears to be an immutable aspect of personality, immune to a "cure".  In children, the period between puberty and young adulthood is the most sexually charged.  The early development of our species was surely effected by drastically shorter life spans and the rush to reproduce (pedophila is primarily a heterosexual phenomena).  Modern childhood itself is not "biologically natural", but was an invention of the industrial revolution. It developed from the need for an extended period of dependence beyond puberty to acquire the skills and knowledge to survive in an increasingly complex environment. Since children are in a dependent status, there are differences in power between adults and children that cannot be resolved. As we move from an industrial to a technological society, these concerns have only increased.  

Not surprisingly, David has also quoted Proverbs 14:12 out of context. This verse deals with the dangers of excessive carnality, irrespective of sexual orientation.  

Todd Brennan 
Clifton 
Submitted to the Cincinnati Enquirer, but not published 
March 6, 1998 
(315 words) 

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