Discussion on The Virtue Ethic and Agapism

When Dr. Nash mentioned that some behaviors are always wrong, that there's no "golden mean" to achieve, the first thing that came to mind was a question that I believe crosses many a woman's mind: How many dates should occur before sexual relations commence?

As a single woman, I've come across many books, websites, and magazine articles on dating and commitment, and I'm sorry to say that this question comes up repeatedly. The bestower of dating advice in most non-Christian material will not even consider that sexual activity in a dating relationship might possibly be inherently wrong. Chastity, of course, is assumed to be a "defect," as it supposedly prevents the couple from building a healthy relationship. On the "excess" end, there's a risk of the man losing interest in an easy conquest.

So, they commence a search for the appropriate "golden mean." Some say after two dates. Some say after both parties acknowledge a monogamous committed relationship. Others offer something in-between. And as Dr. Nash mentioned about this type of philosophy, there's the underlying thought that what's acceptable and not acceptable depends on the individual.