No, seriously. The paper in which Carrie Jenkins presents a conceptual analysis of flirting is here (via Online Papers in Philosophy). An except:
What is it to flirt? Do you have to intend to flirt with someone in order to count as doing so? Can such things as dressing a certain way count as flirting? Can one flirt with an AI character? With one's own long-term partner? With an idea?
The question of whether or not an act of flirtation has taken place is often highly significant in our practical decision-making. For example, one may want to know whether or not one's partner has been flirting with other people in order to decide whether to continue the relationship. Or one may want to know whether two of one's friends have been flirting with each other in order to decide whether to give them some time alone. To facilitate such decisions, it would be helpful to have a secure grasp on what flirting actually amounts to.
If you needed more proof that conceptual analysis is dull as hell, watch what it can do to something as fun as flirting.
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wow. so dull it's awe inspiring.
Thanks, Chris. Now I don't have to say it.
I'm just about keeping my eyes open at the moment with this one.
You ain't seen nothing - compared to my work on the a priori, the flirting paper is a riot. I'm completely serious. :)