Sex Ethics

Question 1

Premarital sex
“so that husband and wife become in a way one _____ and one ____, and together attain their ____ ________”

• pope paul VI

Answer 1

so that husband and wife become in a way one heart and one soul, and together attain their human fulfilment

• pope paul VI

Question 2

premarital sex
whats the catholic view on premarital sex

Answer 2

• premarital sex does not express fidelity (faithfulness) , exclusivity and commitment and this does not tolerate sex before marriage

it is often associated with promiscuity

• believe those who endure in premarital sex are committing a grave sin and are excluded from sacramental communion until living in a morally correct way

Question 3

premarital sex
what is the church of englands view on cohabitation

Answer 3

the Church of England does “accept that cohabitation is a step along way towards that fuller and more complete commitment.”

Question 4

define premarital sex

Answer 4

sex before marriage

Question 5

whats another word for extramarital sex

Answer 5

adultey

Question 6

extramarital sex
lisa dowel cahill in ‘sex, gender and christian ethics’ argued that historically wealthy men had concubines (mistresses) as well as wives.

what does this mean

Answer 6

1. men committing polygamy was common (having several mistresses)
2. adultey was a crime that virtually only women were accused of
3. divorce was prerogative

Question 7

extramarital sex
what was the churches approach to concubines

Answer 7

the church ban on adultey made it impossible for men to have concubines and the the ban in divorces stopped them from abandoning women

Question 8

extramarital sex

Why does the Bible/ Christianity have a problem with homosexuality?
give examples

Answer 8

• “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a women, that is detestable” (Leviticus 18:22)

• Paul noted that “men committed shameful acts with other men.” (Romans 1)

Paul, in a letter to the Corinthians, also wrote that men who have sex wit men will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians)

Question 9

The Churches on Homosexuality
church of england

Answer 9

Opposes same sex marriage therefore requires homosexual clergy to remain celibate.

• In 2017 the Bishops of the CoE issued a statement called ‘Marriage and Same Sex Relationships’ - this affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman.

• Although it also affirmed that there is a place for homosexuals in the Church and that some shame and repentance is appropriate for the way homosexuals have been treated.

However when taken for a vote before the General Synod it was rejected.
• The CoE remain split over this.

Question 10

The Churches on Homosexuality
Catholic Church

Answer 10

• There is no sin involved in an inclination towards a member of the same sex, as such an inclination is not freely chosen and is a trial

“There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.” Pope Francis in ‘On Love in the Family

However the Pope backtracked when stats showed that 150-200 gay men are murdered in Italy every year

• pope francis said “If a person is gay seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”

Question 11

The Churches on Homosexuality

“There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual ______ to be in any way _______ or even remotely _______ to God’s plan for marriage and family.”

Pope Francis in ‘On Love in the Family

Answer 11

“There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.”

Pope Francis in ‘On Love in the Family

Question 12

the changing face of the church
christian church views on homosexuality

Answer 12

Some Christian churches have challenged the traditional disapproval of homosexuality (found in the Bible or Natural Law), maintaining that the quality of relationships is what determines its value.

• They believe that God made us all ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis) implying that all men and women, regardless of sexual orientation, are by nature good.

• Otherwise it implies God intentionally created disorder.

• many liberal Christians, including those belonging to the Methodist, denomination, maintain that homosexuality is normal and natural and is not changeable or freely chosen.

Question 13

“We implore families and churches not to _____ or _____ lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in _______ and with all persons.”
‘The Book of Discipline’

Answer 13

“We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry and with all persons.”

‘The Book of Discipline’

Question 14

Normative theories: Natural Law

Catholic approaches to sexual ethics draw heavily upon Natural Law: procreation is central to the purpose of sexual intercourse and marriage.

1. Homosexual sex
2. Premarital sex
3. Extramarital sex
4. Contraception
5. Masterbation

are all considered morally wrong, why?

Answer 14

• Are all morally wrong because they do not support the precepts or a flourishing society.

• Sex might feel good but this is an apparent good not a real good.

Question 15

Normative theories: Natural Law

“the _____ style of _____ is what is to be observed” - st thomas aquinas (summa theologica)

Answer 15

the style of intercourse is to be observed

Question 16

Normative theories: Natural Law

whats a weakness of saying extramarital sex is immoral

Answer 16

Extra marital sex could be moral as a way resolving infertility, such as in the Bible when Abraham sired a child with his servant because his wife was infertile.

Surrogate sex in this way (whilst extra marital sex) ‘might not be’ frowned upon

Question 17

Normative theories: situation ethics

give some of Joseph Fletcher’s examples for Situation Ethics? and why was this critiqued

Answer 17

• The women in a prison of war camp who asked the guard (not her husband) to have sex and impregnate her so she could leave the camp.
• The spy who has sex with the enemy agent in order to end the war.

• Both of these examples Fletcher argues can be seen as ethical.

• these examples have been criticised for being exceptional circumstances and not suitable for a basis for a general moral theory.

• But for Fletcher that was the point of Situation ethics, to help deal with moral decisions when the usual moral rules don’t seem to apply.

Question 18

Normative theories: situation ethics

can Situation ethics be applied to more day to day moral choices?

Answer 18

• It is a pragmatic approach setting aside fixed moral truths in order to put the person and their relationship at the heart of each decision.

• Situation ethics is always open to breaking traditional ethical rules, including sexual ethics rules because decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively.

• However difficulties with applying Situation ethics to sexual ethics come when considering how other people are affected in such situations. Situation ethics puts the primary people first but doesn’t consider the broader family, community, interest of society etc.?

Question 19

Normative theories: Kantian ethics

how can categorical imperatives be applied to sex ethics

Answer 19

kant prioritises:
- Freedom (autonomy) thus consent is priority for Kantian sexual ethics
- Consensual promises
- Always considering the value and worth of the people involved
- Dignity
- Equality and equal rights

Categorical Imperative First Formulation: Universalisability (applying maxims to everyone universally)

Second Formulation: Means to an end - don’t treat others as a means to your own pleasure.
Thus no:
- rape,
- forced marriage or
- objectifying people e.g pornography
• Sex within marriage is about union and sexual enjoyment not just procreation.

Question 20

Normative theories: utilitarianism
Benthams view on Sex ethics

Answer 20

• Consenting adults do as they want
• Protects freedom of choice
• ‘Harm principle’ is important e.g. extra marital affairs cause harm long term
• Praises safe sex as avoids unwanted pregnancies, HIV, STI’s and broken
  hearts all = pain

• Bentham wanted the greatest wellbeing for everyone thus believed that the rules of marriage protect those involved against pre and extra marital

**? **who do you consider the happiness and pleasure of? Is it just the people involved or wider society? E.g Does homosexuality harm society and cause unhappiness for majority who may be opposed to sam sex relationships?

Question 21

Normative theories: utilitarianism
J.S Mill

Answer 21

• Mill was concerned with the extent to which religion forbids certain behaviours, envisaging a free liberal society, moving away from the constraints of religion.

Mill fought for:
• Artificial contraception being available to the poor (something prohibited by the Church at the time and still remains forbidden by the Catholic church today).
• Women’s rights
• Gender equality
Marriage that promotes equal partnership (specifically focusing upon how the Church and law constrains women)

Question 22

Normative theories: utilitarianism
J.S Mill

Sex is “a _______ of perfect ______, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor ______ on the other.”

In ‘On Liberty

John Stuart Mill

Answer 22

Sex is “a principle of perfect quality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other.”

In ‘On Liberty

John Stuart Mill

Question 23

Evaluation of Natural Law

Answer 23

• Is an unnatural act always wrong if it is mutual and consented to?
• Is what is natural always right? What about sexual abuse within marriage?

x Illogical to say that an infertile couple cannot have sex - what about
love, commitment, connection?

• Aquinas was celibate (excuse: acceptable for minority called to serve God)

X Can masturbation and homosexuality be argued to be natural?

** Is it natural to only have one partner and a monogamous relationships if sex is centred purely on reproduction?**

Leiser: To condemn people for using their sexual organs for pleasure e.g. elderly couples cannot reproduce, reveal prejudices and irrational taboos of society.

• Without contraception world over populated and spread of STI

Question 24

Evaluation of Kant

Answer 24

P: Emphasizes the importance of equality and not treating others as a tool for our own pleasure

P: Recognised the importance of pleasure within a marriage

P: Sexual relations always recognise other person as free - never means to an end

N: Ignores the importance of emotions within a relationship

N: Just because something cannot be universalised does not mean it is wrong. There would be no variation.

Question 25

Evaluation of Utilitarianism

Answer 25

P: Emphasises the importance of pleasure within a relationship

P: Allows sexual freedom and choice
Emphasized importance of consent, equality and sharing pleasure and love mutually

P: Realistic - allows for contraception and safe sex

P: Flexible and subjective so can be applied to individual
situations

N: Hard to apply hedonic calculus to specific situations

**N: Mill says that sex is a lower pleasure but don’t humans experience sex differently from animals - sex is more important e.g. love, honesty, commitment **

**N: Teleological - cant always predict outcomes **

N: Do emotions/ passion cloud our judgement?