AN ARGUMENT FOR POLYAMOROUS MARRIAGE
P1. If, with respect to marriage, same-sex throuples are like infertile couples then they should be permitted to marry
P2. With respect to marriage, same-sex throuples are like infertile couples
C. Therefore same-sex throuples should be permitted to marry
CONSERVATIVE COMMENTARY
This argument is also used for:
This is an equality argument which takes the form:
P1. A has right X
P2. B is like A with respect to X
C. Therefore B should have right X
In order for this argument to be successful it must assume a definition of marriage and show that infertile couples and same-sex throuples are no different in any meaningful way with regards to that definition. The argument would fail if there is at least one meaningful way same-sex throuples are not like infertile couples (with respect to the assumed view of marriage).
If a revisionist view of marriage is assumed or a view of marriage which is largely about the ability of adults to form deep emotional relationships then this argument appears to be successful. However it proves far too much as the following are also just like infertile couples with respect to this view of marriage:
- Two platonic brothers
- Two platonic sisters
- One person in a self-relationship
If on the other hand a conjugal view of marriage is assumed or any view of marriage that has something to do with normalizing biological mothers and fathers raising their children then there are ways in which same-sex throuples are not like infertile couples, such as:
- Same-sex throuples cannot coordinate towards a procreative end, whereas infertile couples can
- Same-sex throuples cannot rationally be unaware that they are unable to procreate, whereas infertile couples can
- Same-sex throuples cannot provide a mother and father role model to any children they raise, whereas infertile couples can
- Same-sex throuples cannot be the biological parents of their children, whereas infertile couples can (if they become infertile later)
- Same-sex throuples cannot uphold the norm that families (and any children) should be headed by a mother and father, whereas infertile couples can
So if the conjugal view of marriage is correct or if marriage is anything to do with normalizing children being raised by their biological mother and father then it would be difficult to argue that these differences are meaningless and the argument fails.