Sex ethics (Utilitarianism)

Question 1

what is utilitarianism 4 main points in sex ethics?

Answer 1

• consenting adults do as they want
• protects freedom of choice
• ‘harm principle’
• praises safe sex as avoids unwanted pregnancies

Question 2

what does Bentham suggest suggest about marriage?

Answer 2

Bentham wanted greatest good for greatest number and believe the reeks of marriage protect those involved against extra/pre marital sex

Question 3

what was mills secular view on sex ethics?

Answer 3

mill was concerned with the extent to which religion forbids certain behaviour, envisaging a free liberal society, moving away from the constraints of religion

Question 4

what did mill fight for?

Answer 4

• artificial contraception available for the poor
• women’s rights
• gender eq
• marriage promoted equal partnership

Question 5

what does mill say in ‘on liberty’

Answer 5

sex is ‘a principle of perfect quality admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other’

Question 6

give 4 strengths of utilitarianism and sex ethics?

Answer 6

• sexual freedom/ choice
• consent/ equality/ pleasure and love
• contraception/ safe sex
• flexible

Question 7

give 4 weaknesses of utilitarianism and sex ethics?

Answer 7

• hard to apply hedonic calculus
• mill ‘sex = lower pleasure’
• teleological can’t always predict outcomes
• do emotions cloud judgement