INCEST AND GAME THEORY

James D. Miller talks about the externalities of incest and homosexuality. He argues, persuasively to my mind, that allowing private incest, even among consenting adults, undermines the trust necessary to form families for all of us. He fails to see how allowing gay people private relationships does the same thing. I think the core issue is actually a simple one: many social conservatives think that homosexuality is something you do; others believe it is something you just are. I’d argue further that it is as critical a part of who you are as being heterosexual. (I explain why in the introduction to Virtually Normal.) Actually, I wouldn’t just argue that. I know that. And once you do know that, equating it with things like incest – which are choices, not orientations – appears offensive and wrong. That’s why I wonder if Santorum has ever had such a discussion with an actual gay person. While I’m at it, here are gay conservative Bruce Bawer’s reflections on the affair.