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This is a book for people energized by the possibilities of modern intimacy, but who feel unsure about their own romantic lives. Alternative lifestyles such as nonmonogamy, while liberating in theory, can feel remote in practice, as we are fixed in place by insecurities and social pressures.
In Romantic Agency, philosopher Luke Brunning encourages readers to think more deeply about what it means for relationships to not only work, but flourish. Guided by the thought that our abilities to be intimate cannot be taken for granted, he argues that our romantic agency is fragile and best cultivated alongside other people. Together we can become more realistic, balance playfulness with integrity, and value each other's flourishing. Anyone can benefit from this exploration of intimate life, regardless of their relationship status or romantic ideals.
Compelling and timely, Romantic Agency is a groundbreaking account of love and relationships.
List of contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 Modern Romance
2 Opening Up
3 Romantic Agency
4 Shaping Intimacy
5 Realistic Conversation
6 Romantic Risks
7 Jealousy
8 Grasping the Good
Conclusion
Notes
References
Index
About the author
Luke Brunning is Lecturer in Applied and Inter-Disciplinary Ethics at the IDEA Centre at the University of Leeds.
Summary
This is a book for people energized by the possibilities of modern intimacy, but who feel unsure about their own romantic lives. Alternative lifestyles such as nonmonogamy, while liberating in theory, can feel remote in practice, as we are fixed in place by insecurities and social pressures.
In Romantic Agency, philosopher Luke Brunning encourages readers to think more deeply about what it means for relationships to not only work, but flourish. Guided by the thought that our abilities to be intimate cannot be taken for granted, he argues that our romantic agency is fragile and best cultivated alongside that of others, and can be nurtured through relevant traits and practices. Realism protects us from seductive but unworkable romantic ideals, conversation tempers our individualism, playfulness helps us look beyond rivalry, integrity allows us to risk change, and compersion lets us overcome jealousy. The potential rewards are more meaningful than any traditionalist or utopian could imagine.
Compelling and timely, Romantic Agency is a groundbreaking exploration of love and relationships.
Report
"Romantic Agency is a thoughtful philosophical reflection on how we might expand the freedom that we - and others - experience in our romantic relationships. Taking a refreshingly open approach to the diverse range of possible relationship styles, Brunning helpfully and clearly unpacks both inner and outer constraints on romantic agency, and the ways in which different people and relationships might address these."
Meg-John Barker, author of Rewriting the Rules and Life Isn't Binary
"Beautifully written, clear, and direct, Brunning's Romantic Agency challenges ideological preconceptions and opens new intellectual territory. This exploration and ethical analysis of the many forms and facets of romantic relationships is both philosophically rich and deeply grounded in the concrete realities of our social and emotional lives."
Quill Rebecca Kukla, Georgetown University
