Before Nagel attempts to define perversion itself, he explains his model for the "basic framework of any full-fledged sexual relation" (45). He uses what he calls an artificial case of desire at a distance. Here is a concise explanation of Nagel's model: The two subjects, Romeo and Juliet, are each sitting at opposite ends of a room which contains many mirrors which allow for unnoticed observation. Romeo then observes Juliet which causes him to desire her and thus arouses him. Juliet notices Romeo observing her and becomes aroused herself. However, Juliet is not aroused by the mere sight of Romeo. She becomes aroused because she is now aware that Romeo is aroused because of her. T

What people view as perversion in today's society follows very closely to Nagel's view. Any sexual act that deviates from that of the norm is considered to be perverted. The standard sexual relationship in our society is a heterosexual couple, roughly the same age and who engages in sexual intercourse, which follows Nagel's model. Any sexual desires by an individual that is a departure from the norm would immediately be declared immoral and perverted. The pedophile, for instance, is deemed a pervert because he prefers sexual partners of a younger age which does not follow the aspect of the model which states that the partners must be roughly the same age. The immorality lies in the fact most people believe that children should not be exposed to anything sexual until they reach the appropriate age. Sadists and masochists are also deemed perverted by mainstream society. Their deviative expression of their own sexual embodiment is seen as strange and abnormal to mainstream society. For sexual intercourse to be morally right, both partners should enjoy it. However, since pain is involved it is considered immoral. When people think of what is right or wrong, they typically think of how the action would affect another. That is to say if a sexual act causes harm to someone or something, it is considered immoral. That is why in today\'s society there are laws against such perversions as bestality and pedphilia. Society claims that children, as well as animals, do not possess the moral faculties to determine if what they are doing is wrong. Then the question arises, \"What if there is no harm done during these acts, is it still immoral?\" I believe that people only deem these acts as perverted because they themselves do not enjoy them or in some cases detest them all together. The sadist, for example finds nothing wrong in what he is doing because he is enjoying it. The moral issue basically comes down to this: If both partners are enjoying the act, then it is, to them, moral, though it may be morally wrong in the eyes of others. Hence the fact that Nagel deems his view of perversion as amoral.

Thomas Nagel's goal of this article was not to convince the reader that perversions are immoral, but to

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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)