Philosophy of love, sex, and relationships: an introduction

Natasha McKeever and I have written a textbook introducing anyone to contemporary philosophy of love, sex, and relationships.

The book will be published by Polity Press in 2025.

Here is the blurb:

Intimacy can be joyous, but also confusing and socially constrained. This book reveals how philosophy can deepen our understanding of how we date, fall in love, have sex, and form relationships.

Brunning and McKeever explore some of today’s significant questions around love and relationships, with a focus on underexplored topics and contemporary research. Should we stop talking in terms of sexual orientations? What are the responsibilities of dating app companies? Could flirting be a virtue? Might a drug produce authentic love? Must we take responsibility for who we find attractive? When is consensual sex bad? Should governments ban sex robots? Is relationship anarchy the future of intimacy?

Engagingly written, and rich with real-world examples, The Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Relationships is a crucial resource for students, researchers, and anyone who wants to join the growing conversation around the philosophy of intimacy.