The verdict
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love worth it?
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is one of the stronger picks we track in books & media. It holds 2 verified certifications (FSC Certified, B Corp). Priced in the $$ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicUnverified
- Fair labourYes
Celestial Arts (Penguin Random House)
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
* Affiliate links help support EthiCompare's mission.
Customer Rating
Best for
Readers interested in relationship philosophy, psychology, and social ethics.
AI Ethics Review
A seminal text in social ethics and relationship philosophy, printed on responsibly sourced paper by a major publishing house with increasing sustainability commitments.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cruelty-free?
- Unverified — no third-party cruelty-free certification is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love in our database.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love vegan?
- Unverified — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love has no certified vegan claim on file; check the ingredient notes below.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love plastic-free?
- Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is not documented in our data.
- Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love avoid problem palm oil?
- Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love certified organic?
- Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love fairly made?
- Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
Ethics Breakdown
Each pillar is independently scored from public certifications, ingredient/material sourcing, and brand disclosures, then averaged into the composite Ethics Score above.
How it compares in Books & Media
Benchmarked against 3 other published products in the same category.
0%
of compared products score lower
-15
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
Building a Foundation for Ethical Relationships
Originally published in 1997, The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy has transitioned from an underground cult classic to a mainstream cornerstone of relationship literature. This third edition continues to provide a comprehensive framework for navigating non-monogamy with integrity, emphasizing communication, consent, and emotional intelligence. In a media landscape often dominated by toxic tropes, this book stands out as a vital resource for anyone looking to deconstruct traditional relationship structures in favor of radical honesty.
Physical Production and Publishing Ethics
While the content itself promotes interpersonal ethics, the physical production of the book is managed under Penguin Random House’s modern sustainability initiatives. The volume is printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, verified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Penguin Random House, as a global entity, has achieved B Corp certification in several of its divisions and is actively working toward carbon neutrality in its direct operations.
Note for Conscientious Readers: By purchasing the physical edition, you are supporting a production chain that prioritizes forest conservation through FSC standards, though large-scale publishing still faces challenges regarding return-waste and ink toxicity.
Table of Themes and Resource Goals
| Theme | Goal |
|---|---|
| Communication | Honest dialogue and radical vulnerability |
| Consent | Navigating boundaries and enthusiastic agreement |
| Jealousy | Managing 'compersion' and emotional growth |
| Sustainability | FSC-certified paper usage and reduced emissions |
A Philosophy of Interconnectedness
The authors argue that sexual and romantic freedom must be rooted in deep respect for others. This mirrors the broader ethical consumerism movement—extending the concept of 'doing no harm' from the products we buy to the way we treat human hearts. The book features specific exercises and scenarios designed to help readers build community rather than just chasing individual gratification.
"We believe that 'slut' is a term of empowerment—someone who has the courage to live by their own rules and treat others with profound kindness."
- Comprehensive guide to ethical non-monogamy.
- Focus on interpersonal skill-building and emotional regulation.
- Strong emphasis on the history of gender and sexuality rights.
- Practical advice on building community networks.
Pros
- ✓Foundational text for interpersonal ethics
- ✓FSC-certified paper production
- ✓Inclusive and progressive viewpoints
Cons
- ✗Mass-market publishing environmental footprint
- ✗Large corporate ownership (PRH) can be polarizing
Key Facts
- Brand
- Celestial Arts (Penguin Random House)
- Category
- Books & Media
- Ethics Score
- 82/100
- Price Range
- $$ (≈ $18.99)
- Avg Rating
- 4.6/5 (4850 reviews)
- Pages
- 336 pages
- Format
- Paperback / E-book
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Celestial Arts
- Publication Date
- August 15, 2017
- Environmental Standard
- FSC Mix
- Certifications
- FSC Certified, B Corp
🌱 Sustainability
Penguin Random House is a member of the Book Chain Project, tracking the sustainability of paper mills and carbon footprints across the supply chain.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
Printed with soy-based or vegetable-based inks where possible (regional variance). Covers utilize standard protective coatings which may limit domestic composting.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $18.99 — prices change often, so check the live listing.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects the ethics score.
What Reviewers Say
"A transformative read that applies ethics to the most intimate parts of life."
"Crucial for anyone exploring boundaries, regardless of relationship status."
"The gold standard for polyamorous resources."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love by Celestial Arts (Penguin Random House) ethically made?+
Yes. The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 82/100, backed by third-party certifications including FSC Certified, B Corp. A seminal text in social ethics and relationship philosophy, printed on responsibly sourced paper by a major publishing house with increasing sustainability commitments.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love worth buying?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love scores 82/100 on our ethics rating. That puts it in the upper band of the products we track, so it is a defensible buy on ethics grounds.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cruelty-free?+
We have not verified a third-party cruelty-free certification for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love. See our Celestial Arts (Penguin Random House) verdict page for the brand's full animal-testing position.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love vegan?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love does not carry a certified vegan claim in our database. Check the ingredient notes above and the brand's own disclosure before buying.
What are the best alternatives to The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
We list higher-scoring books & media products from other brands on this page, and a full set of ethical alternatives to Celestial Arts (Penguin Random House) on its alternatives page.
What certifications does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love hold?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love holds the following certifications: FSC Certified, B Corp. These independent verifications cover sourcing, animal welfare, environmental impact, and ingredient safety.
How sustainable is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
Penguin Random House is a member of the Book Chain Project, tracking the sustainability of paper mills and carbon footprints across the supply chain.
What are the key ingredients or materials in The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
Printed with soy-based or vegetable-based inks where possible (regional variance). Covers utilize standard protective coatings which may limit domestic composting.
How much does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cost?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is priced in the $$ range for books & media. Visit the retailer links above for current pricing.
Where can I buy The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is available from the brand's official website and major retailers. The product page above lists every verified retailer we track.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love plastic-free?+
Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is not documented in our data.
Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love avoid problem palm oil?+
Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love certified organic?+
Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love fairly made?+
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
Customer Reviews
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