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On first impression, the reader of this book has the sense of having returned to college and enrolled in Philosophy 101. The writer's interest is centered on the use of logical thought in approaching a controversial problem. We are presented with a well-organized, multifaceted survey of the literature and a condensation of each salient point of view with a discussion of the evidence in favor, against, and questionable. The author gives his opinion and invites the reader to draw his own conclusions. The philosophical exercise offered by this literate, well-written book is a bonus for those who originally wished to read it for the information it contains about homosexuality.
In a manner befitting a philosopher, from the opening pages semantic problems are met head on. The language referring to homosexuality is carefully defined. We are kept aware of whether we are speaking of a behavioral act, a psychological state, a personal orientation, a life style, a point of view, or a subculture. The text is organized around five main topics: the psychological and developmental origins of homosexuality; its physiology and endocrinology; sociobiological factors; the issues of morality and goodness or badness of homosexuality; and the interactions of society and homosexuals. The discussion covers not only such questions as whether homosexuality is treatable but also whether it should be treated, and