Consenting Adults

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Onora O'Neill's "Between Consenting Adults" is thought to be an expansion on the Kantian philosophy regarding the treatment of individuals in our lives. The essay stresses the importance of treating those not simply as a means to an end, but as an individual in and an individual of themselves; to do right by treating the person's end with respect. O'Neill uses the idea of individuals in sexual relationships to help illustrate her point.
The essay begins with three common conceptions of these ideals: the personal touch, actual consent, and hypothetical consent. The personal touch describes the value of treating others with a certain tone and matter, and not being indifferent. Actual consent explains the significance of never treating a person in a way that they do not consent a way of treatment. Finally, hypothetical consent is about the treatment of "others as persons not in term of the consent actually give, but in terms of the hypothetical consent fully rational beings would give to the same proposal" (789). Each of these types of consent should play a major role in how we as individuals show treat one another in society. However, in our culture, these roles of consent are often forgotten.
The treatment and blah in adult relationships has been a blurry line in our society. O'Neill's different types of consent and accounts of using others and treating them with respect as persons is reasonable; it also points out the failures in relationships and encounters among people. We live in a rape culture, one where the lines of consent are often misinterpreted or ignored. In class, we discussed the rape culture among college campuses and how sometimes it can be misconstrued.
The definition of rape differs from person to person; the...

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...r purpose in the sexual relationship requires a lot more. By using O'Neill's three types of consents in any form of relationship, allows both you and the other person to be treated fairly, have a mutual understanding, and gives the same respect to both people.
I think that if college students that engaged in the "hook-up" culture of the college and party scene used O'Neill's consenting forms, - the personal touch, actual consent, and hypothetical consent- it would not lead to unwanted sexual engagement and relations. It would provide every individual equal respect, understanding of the situation, and fairness; it would be a win-win situation for everyone. The practice of O'Neill's philosophy should be an essential part of every form of relationship. By doing so, it would provide healthy relationships among friends, intimate partners, and passionate relationships.

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