There are very few topics as divisive as sex and the proper approach to monitoring or judging its presence within a society. A group’s attitude toward sexual behavior necessarily varies from one environment to another with changes in perception, authority, but most of all, purpose. The purpose of an intimate relationship is what defines the difference between Diderot and Franklin’s attitude toward what is proper and what is not. The culture of 18th century America, with emphasis on an orderly and productive society where public perception of an individual was as, if not more, valuable than any material possession clearly opposes the Tahitian attitude of individualistic satisfaction and desire as natural and acceptable.
While Franklin focuses his advice to his friend as a practical application of a relationship as a factor in achieving success, Orou expounds upon the usefulness of accepting urges and emotions as practical in their own right. Both account for their belief as representing “the most Natural State of Man”, to use Franklins words. I was unable to help myself from debating how their contrasting attitudes would apply to a college atmosphere such as Vanderbilt’s that, whether you like it or not, is one abounding in sexual tension and impulse. What environment could possibly be more driven by sex than one comprised exclusively of motivated, driven students who cannot help but be constantly diverted by the stimulus of other maturing adolescent coeds? It is the perfect balance of Franklin’s success driven mindset and that of Orou’s raw and unconstrained naturalistic viewpoint. “Tell me” wrote Diderot, “is anything more worthy of your pursuit, anything that can make us happier than the possession and enjoyment of a being who thinks and feels as you do, who experiences the same sensations, the same ecstasies, who brings her affectionate and sensitive arms towards yours”? To me that describes much of what college is about. Isn’t that what motivates the constant texting, flirting, dancing etcetera that we all inevitably spend an inordinate portion of our college lives doing? Or is the drive to become a success, to move up in the world as an achieving adult with a job and reputation we are proud of, that we study all night for tests and interviews to obtain what college is all about? To me they are about the same thing in the end; getting where you want to be and having the best possible time in the process.
