Of Maybugs and Men: A History of Philosophy of the Sciences of Homosexuality

Abstract

OF MAYBUGS AND MEN: A History of Philosophy of the Sciences of Homosexuality by Pieter R. Adriaens and Andreas De Block. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 2022. 246 pages. Hardcover; $105.00. ISBN: 9780226822426. Paperback; $32.50. ISBN: 9780226822440. Electronic; $31.99. ISBN: 9780226822433. *Pieter Adriaens and Andreas De Block offer a substantive analysis of the science of sexual orientation as it relates to male homosexuality. As a psychologist who has been involved in research1 in the areas of sexual orientation and sexual identity, I found the concepts in the book helpful in thinking through the evidence for what I believe and why. For example, although I have critiqued animal models as inadequate to explain the complexities of human sexual orientation and behavior, Adriaens and De Block challenge the reader to think more deeply about such a response and how it matches up with existing theories and the scientific support for each theory. They are even handed and largely dispassionate in their accounting of both theories and evidence to support various theories. *The authors note in the introduction that the book will be about male homosexuality rather than homosexuality in general; that is, they purposefully exclude female homosexuality as it has been far less attended to in the scientific literature and what is known suggests female homosexuality appears to be different than male homosexuality in important ways.2 The introduction also frames the goals of the authors: speaking of homosexuality, to "increase its familiarity" and, by so doing, "reduce homonegativity" (p. 15). Interestingly, the word "homonegativity" is frequently used by the authors throughout the book although, surprisingly, not as carefully defined as many other terms. The authors prefer the term to "homophobia," which they view as too clinical or psychiatric. Homonegativity captures other negative emotions apart from fear, "such as disgust and anger" (p. 196). This is perhaps a small point, but I find the term too imprecise and frequently wielded against any formed judgment about what is morally impermissible behavior. *Chapter one, "Not by Genes and Hormones Alone," addresses the question of innateness. Psychologists such as myself tend to be rather casual in their use of terms like "innate" and the authors help all of us here by defining terms and examining key findings related to the etiology of homosexual orientation. They are measured and judicious in their treatment of twin studies, direct genetic evidence, the maternal immune hypothesis, and prenatal hormonal exposure. They conclude that male "homosexuality is at least somewhat heritable and somewhat canalized" (p. 41). Indeed, the complexity of the research here leads the authors to conclude that no one theory will account for the variety of experiences even among male homosexuals that exist today, let alone expressions noted throughout history and across cultures. I could not agree more with this conclusion. *Christians may wonder about other theories of etiology that are popular mostly in conventionally religious communities, such as traumatic experiences (e.g., childhood sexual abuse) or the sexualization of emotional deprivations due to a failure to identify with one's same-sex parent. These theories are not directly engaged and, while Freud is discussed, the emphasis in this chapter is on the biological bases of homosexuality, which is where so much of science is today and with good reason; there is insufficient scientific support for these other theories and little interest in psychopathology-based accounts of homosexuality. The authors are more interested in examining the broader essentialist versus constructivist debate and whether or to what extent biological data inform that debate. *Chapter two, "Sham Matings and Other Shenanigans," addresses research on animal homosexual behavior. This chapter content speaks to the title of the book, as the sexual behavior of maybugs, dolphins, sheep, and many other animals is discussed. As I mentioned above, I have been rather dismissive of animal research, but the authors present a more comprehensive and compelling case for animal models that at least has to be engaged and cannot be simply dismissed as irrelevant. I think ultimately the Christian does not look at animal behaviors as being sufficiently complex to be analogous to human sexuality, orientation, identity, and behavior, but there is more research and more thought behind the research; it is important to be familiar with this research for those who work in this area. *Chapter three, "Beyond the Paradox," looks at evolutionary theory and homosexuality. Evolutionary theory is another topic that many Christians might not find particularly compelling when it comes to thinking about sexual orientation. They might be more likely to simply disregard modern homosexuality as largely incompatible with evolutionary theory. This chapter challenges such a maneuver and, again, invites the reader to consider how evolutionary theory may provide a reasonable account of modern male homosexuality. *Chapter four, "Values, Facts, and Disorders," considers the relationship between homosexuality and psychiatric nosology. This was a helpful chapter that provides the reader with more of the history and cultural context out of which homosexuality was viewed as a disorder and how it was viewed prior to that--from crime to disorder, from behavior to instinct--and how views of heredity and other important concepts initially played into early and developing conceptualizations. This chapter also briefly addresses the question of reorientation or conversion therapy. *There is also an epilogue that raises the question of whether there are risks associated with future research on the etiology of sexual orientation. Such questions are tied to prevention and to some extent conversion or reorientation. Interestingly, the mainstream LGBTQ+ community and more conservative Christian communities might actually have a superordinate goal, to not screen or select in utero for sexual orientation preferences because of the contemporary Christian commitment to valuing the imago Dei in all persons from conception. The epilogue surprised me the most because it came across as outside of the scope of what the authors had been addressing in the history and philosophy of science. But, again, it was well considered and thoughtful. The authors concluded that the risks should be managed in a way that protects the LGBTQ+ community but also does not preclude such research from taking place. The authors are more concerned with the "morally questionable biases" (p. 191) behind the research. Again, such a statement does not make an argument for ethical conclusions about homosexual behavior, nor does it engage formed judgments that reach conclusions other than those of the authors. *Christians interested in the history and philosophy of science related to male homosexuality will not be disappointed by this book. It is in depth and even handed in its treatment of research and competing theories. I would not describe it as anti-religious in its presentation of ideas and historical context. In fact, the authors do not really engage religion as such; rather, they engage some of the ideas derived from or contemporaneous with religious thought at the time, particularly if those thoughts were evident in science, but, again, they do so in a measured way. They primarily engage arguments and the conclusions derived within science (e.g., genetics, zoology, psychiatry) itself. *Notes *1M. A. Yarhouse and D. C. Haldeman, "Introduction to Special Section on Current Advances in the Intersection of Religiousness/Spirituality and LGBTQ+ Studies," [Editorial], Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 13, no. 3 (2021): 255-56, https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000438; and M. A. Yarhouse et al., Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexuality on Christian College Campuses (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Academic, 2018). *2See W. H. James, "Biological and Psychosocial Determinants of Male and Female Human Sexual Orientation," Journal of Biosocial Science 37, no. 5 (2005): 555-67, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021932004007059. *Reviewed by Mark A. Yarhouse, Dr. Arthur P. Rech & Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology; and Director, Sexual & Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187.