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Article: Marriage and the norm of monogamy.
- Article from:
- The Monist
- Article date:
- July 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Hegeler Institute. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Wilt thou keep thee only unto her? (1)
You whisper soft to me
That I ain 't the only one
To breathe your yellow hair
Caress your bosom fair
Do you think I really care?
Do you think it matters? (2)
It appears that spouses have less reason to hold each other to a norm of monogamy than to reject the norm. The norm of monogamy involves a restriction of spouses' access to two things of value: sex and erotic love. This restriction initially appears unwarranted but can be justified. There is reason for spouses to accept the norm of monogamy if their marriage satisfies three conditions. Otherwise, there is reason to permit non-monogamy. Some ...