Friday, April 26, 2013

The Essence of Marriage: Part 2

X: So let's begin where we left off, shall we?

Socrates: Of course. I have a little observation to make. You never said whether marriage was a covenant.

X: Oh well, I'm sure that can wait. But you said that you had another definition to test?

Socrates: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. While surfing the web--I'm the first ancient philosopher to do so and I did not find much joy in the experience--while surfing the web, I discovered another possible definition of marriage that your modern society supports. Some would make the claim that any legalized sexual union among adults could be considered marriage, as long as the partners consent. Tell me: is any legalized sexual union between consenting adults to be considered marriage?

X: Of course not! That's absurd.

Socrates: All right. Why is it absurd?

X: Because that definition allows for homosexual unions, and for polygamy in all its forms. Come to think of it, that would also allow for legalized fornication, adultery, prostitution... you name it. It allows for just about every kind of sexual union except for rape. The results could only be worse if the age limit was lowered and if the parties were not required to consent. Obviously, no one calls these things marriage because they know better. But wait; is this quite the definition that you found?

Socrates: Yes, as far as I can remember.

X: What if this definition was changed just slightly? What if the parties were required to sign an agreement to stay together for at least a while? Would anything be different?

Socrates: Could it be different unless the parties agreed to stay together till death?

X: No. If they agreed to do that, then some of the sins on the list would be cancelled out--prostitution and fornication. If they don't agree to do this, then nothing has really changed. This is a fascinating subject, Socrates, but I really have to go.

Socrates: Ah, time. You Americans just don't seem to have enough of it anymore, do you?

 

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Essence of Marriage: Part 1

             Here's my first attempt to write on the essence of marriage. I've decided to write little dialogues about the subject, but, like this one, they may not always be complete.
             Before this dialogue starts, however, I'd like to point out that I will focus a lot on what marriage is not--not what marriage is. If we are to find out the essence of marriage, we must know what it marriage is, but even so, we must disentangle it from other things first.

                                                   Characters of the Dialogue:
                                                   Socrates
                                                   X

X: Hi, Socrates.

Socrates: Why, hello, X. Is that your name?

X: No, just a pseudonym for today. I have a question or two that I want to put to you.

Socrates: Really? What is it?

X: What is marriage? I don't mean to sound dumb, but up till now I just took for granted that I knew what it was, and now I'm not sure exactly how to define it. What is it?

Socrates: Thank you for your honesty. Instead of telling you the answer, however, I will ask you some questions. Don't you think you would profit more from a discussion if you taught me the answer, and not vice-versa?

X: I guess I'll try.

Socrates: All right. Is marriage a contract?

X: ...I don't think so, but I'm not sure why.

Socrates: Think about it. Isn't a contract an agreement in which the two parties agree to exchange property or service on certain terms?

X: Yes.

Socrates: Now, is marriage an echange of property or service?

X: No.

Socrates: Then it follows that marriage is not a contract, does it not?

X: Yes.

Socrates: All right. Now that we've cleared away one possibility, let's try another. Is marriage a covenant?

X: I think it is... but what exactly is a covenant?

Socrates: You're the Catholic. You tell me.

X: Hmm... I think it's a sacred family bond, an exchange of persons that makes the two people or groups into a family. It makes them belong to eachother in some way.

Socrates: See, you know a lot more about marriage than you thought you did.

X: Thanks, Socrates. How did you like my definition of covenant?

Socrates: It was a good definition--for now. You'll find out over time whether it's technically the best one.