Non Religious Approaches To Sexuality

Question 1

Libertarian approach to sexuality part 1

Answer 1

• 21st C.- sex is morally permissible if there is a mutual agreement or consent between the participating parties- contractarian view; not necessarily linked to marriage or to reproduction because there is no special traditional or religious view of the function of sex
• Sexual crimes go against the freedom principle-eg. Rape
• No sex with minors- they do not have the ability to give informed consent

Question 2

Libertarian proactive to sexuality part 2

Answer 2

• Harm principle: ensures that no harm is done to either party or to other third parties. I am allowed as much freedom as possible, without infringing other people’s right to freedom, including freedom from harm
• What is done in sex is again up to individuals.

Question 3

Advantages of the libertarian approach to sex

Answer 3

• celebrates sexual liberation. It allows consenting adults to do as they please
• freedom is a basic principle that is highly regarded in today’s society than in the past
• More tolerant and permissive of different sexual activities and lifestyles

Question 4

Weakness of libertarian approach to sex

Answer 4

• it may be argued that adults can make free choices about sex, but what happens when there is an imbalance within the relationship?
• Eg. Boss who makes unwanted advances to the secretary. Quitting the job may not help, as money is needed for dependents, and any reference written by the harasser may well be prejudiced. True freedom may not be present in relationships in which power is not equally distributed between the parties.

Question 5

Feminist approaches part 1

Answer 5

• They criticise both the traditional and religious approaches to sexuality and the liberal ones
• Most religious approaches rest on a defined cultural role for women, that of the child-bearer, wife and submissive companion. Eg. Christian approach is the Hebrew view of women as being created for the man
• The defined socially constructed role of mother and wife effectively disempowers women by restricting their status in society and socialising them to meet the desires of men

Question 6

Feminist approaches part 2

Answer 6

• the Hebrew and Greek view of women has meant that they have had little access to politics and wealth, and very little free choice.
• Most sexual crimes are committed against women
• Liberal approaches to sexuality are criticised by feminists because they assume that men and women are in a position to enter freely into a sexual relationship. There is an immorality if a woman has sex in the setting of an imbalanced social status.
• Women may be so conditioned that they are not even aware of their disempowered status

Question 7

Feminist approaches part 3

Answer 7

• Catharine Mackinnon: argues that sexuality must be reimagined and remade before moral sexual relationships become possible. Until this is done, sexual activity will be immoral
• Jill Johnston: separation of men and women, and for sex among women as a political statement to undermine the domination and power of women.
• Mary Dale: women cannot call God father. If God is seen in male terms, then a woman is not fully in the image of God.
• Raymond Bellioti: rejects the feminist idea that women are incapable of deciding for themselves. If women are indeed too socially conditioned to freely enter into relationships, then this is a justification for paternalism. He doesn’t see a problem with a woman accepting a socially defined role if she chooses it