natural law Flashcards
how does natural law link to the catholic teachings
catholic approaches to sexual ethics draw heavily on NL: the creation of new life is central to the purpose of sexual intercourse and marriage, and the unifying aspect of love making must not be separated from procreation. sexual relationships and sexual acts that cannot bring forth and nurture new life are, therefore, morally questionable.
what is sex linked to
new life, to stability, community and commitment. homosexual acts are wrong according to NL because they o not support Aquinas’ precepts, they are not good for sustaining a flourishing human society. sex might feel good in these situations, but this is an apparent good, not a real good, because the primary purposes of sex are frustrated.
criticism of NL
its better for a loving couple to have sex then be miserable
the positive effects of a unifying sexual act between a loving couple are a good enough reason for sex without the need to focus on reproduction, especially in the modern age where women live longer and can therefore live more adult years being non-fertile than fertile.
criticisms 2 of NL
is reproducing always natural
sexual acts often cannot lead to reproduction: in the non fertile part of the menstrual cycle, after the menopause, when someone is infertile, or when the woman is pregnant. and ,if reproduction is not an intrinsic purpose of sex, then NL no longer opposes homosexual sex. if some human beings flourish in same sex relationships perhaps the precepts need to be reviewed?
criticism 3
sexual acts have multiple purposes
burton M.Leiser argues that sexual acts may have multiple purposes and he questions why every sexual act should be required to simultaneously fulfil every purpose. Sexual organs are suited for reproduction and for the production of intense pleasure in oneself and others. If sex is only for reproduction then an old couple who get married and cannot have children is unnatural. condemning ppl for using their sexual organs t unite in pleasure reveals the prejudice and irrational; taboos in our society
criticism 4
extramarital sex can be moral if the woman is infertile
under NL ES could be moral, as a way of resolving infertility. for example in the Hebrew scripture, Abraham sired a child by his servant when his wife was believed to be barren . in this way surrogate mothers offer the possibility of reproduction when infertility prevents it. surrogate sex may be ES but it is not necessarily against natural law
why do catholic Christian not agree with ES using NL
bringing new life into the world outside of marriage does not ensure a child is nurtured in a stable, committed loving relationship.
