Description
Inventing Sexuality. Sex, Nature, and Culture
Book Summary
Is human sexuality a mere biological instinct or a cultural construct? In this work, the author offers a rigorous synthesis of the humanization of sexuality, exploring the complex relationship between the natural and the cultural. Through an accessible analysis, the book reveals how different societies have historically organized marital relations and kinship, inviting the reader to reflect on the foundations of identity and desire. An essential read for those seeking to understand the anthropological roots of sexuality beyond contemporary debates.
What is it about?
The book addresses the fundamental question of whether human sexuality is something given by nature or if, conversely, it is an invention of each culture. Throughout its pages, the author examines how human beings, unlike other animals, have endowed their sexual behavior with meaning and rules. The book analyzes the mechanisms through which different cultures have organized couple relationships, procreation, and kinship, showing that there is no single "natural" way to experience sexuality, but rather that it is shaped through norms, values, and beliefs. The work offers an integrative perspective that reconciles the biological substrate with the human capacity to create culture.
Main Themes
- The humanization of sexuality and the transition from instinct to culture.
- The dialectical relationship between the natural and the cultural in the configuration of desire.
- The anthropological analysis of kinship structures and marital relations.
- The diversity of sexual organization models throughout history.
- The foundations of sexual and gender identity from a philosophical and social perspective.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals in the social sciences, philosophy, and anthropology, as well as any reader interested in understanding debates on gender, sexuality, and human nature from a solid, academic base. It will also be highly useful for educators, family counselors, and individuals who wish to delve into the cultural dimension of sexuality beyond purely biological or ideological approaches.
What this book offers
- A clear and synthetic view of the anthropology of sexuality, facilitating the understanding of a complex topic.
- Conceptual tools to distinguish between biological and cultural components in human sexual behavior.
- A frame of reference for critically analyzing different forms of family and kinship organization.
- A perspective that enriches the current debate on identity and sexual diversity with philosophical and anthropological foundations.
Technical Sheet
- Author: Rodríguez Lluesma, Carlos
- Publisher: Ediciones Rialp, S.A.
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: FAMILY AND HEALTH
- Collection: INSTITUTE OF FAMILY SCIENCES
- Binding: Paperback
- Number of pages: 160
- Weight: 190 g
Editorial Review
This is a concise and well-argued work that seriously addresses a central question in contemporary thought. Its main value lies in offering an accessible synthesis without sacrificing academic rigor, making it an excellent introduction for those approaching the anthropology of sexuality for the first time. The author succeeds in balancing the exposition of classical theories with contemporary reflection, proving especially useful for readers seeking a well-founded starting point free of dogmatism.