Trump said some bad stuff about women. Really bad. So bad, that even though he's said bad stuff about women in the past, this time, even the people who have defended him in the past have condemned him. The argument against Trump's comments essentially goes, "Trumps comments are bad because women are our mothers, wines, sisters and daughter; therefore, we should respect them." The conclusion is correct - Trump's comments are bad - but for the wrong reasons.
This argument assumes men's worth as a priori to women's worth. It presumes that a woman has worth because of her relations to men. At the very least, all men have mothers to whom we owe our lives. But, even if that ceased to be a biological truth, women would still have value, simply because they are human beings endowed by their Creator. I know some people believe women were made from men or to serve men, but you're either sexist or you're not. You either believe women should be treated equally or you don't.
Empathy is the foundation of all legitimate moral thought: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Prima facie, thinking of our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters appears to be empathizing with the subjects of Trump's "locker room talk;" but rather, when we do this, we are empathizing with the men in their lives while we consider the harm caused to women a posteriori. The proper response is not to think of Trump groping or kissing your relative, as pissed off as that would make you. Rather, imagine Trump grabbing you by your crotch, simply because he wanted to, and then you will begin to understand the experiences of women across the world.
No man thinks this himself worthy of dignity and respect because he is someone's son, husband, father or brother. For at least nearly 400 years we have accepted our self worth as self-evident. "Women lift up half the sky;" their worth is as evident as ours and we should treat them with the respect they deserve.
