This book investigates the moral and legal justifications for criminalizing various forms of sexual conduct within a liberal framework. Stuart P. Green, a professor of law, utilizes principles of autonomy and consent to construct a unified theory that addresses the boundaries of state intervention in private sexual behavior. By examining the intersection of criminal law and liberal political philosophy, the author provides a structured approach to evaluating which sexual acts warrant legal prohibition versus those that should remain outside the reach of the state.

Legal scholars and criminologists frequently cite this work as a rigorous contribution to the philosophy of criminal law. Readers note the high level of academic density and the author's precise application of liberal theory to sensitive social issues.