Sexual Ethics

Question 1

Premarital sex

Answer 1

Sex before marriage

Question 2

Cohabitation

Answer 2

Unmarried couple living together in a sexually active relationship

Question 3

Consent

Answer 3

Freely agreeing to engage in sexual activity

Question 4

Extramarital sex

Answer 4

Sex outside of marriage – adultery

Question 5

Betrothal

Answer 5

Traditionally the exchange of promised, which in earlier times marked the point at which sex was permitted.

Question 6

Consummation

Answer 6

An act of sexual intercourse, which, in some traditions marks the finalisation of the marriage.

Question 7

Chastity

Answer 7

Refraining from sex

Question 8

Exclusive

Answer 8

A commitment to be in a sexual relationship with a person to the exclusion to others – a monogamous relationship. The opposite of an open relationship

Question 9

Homosexuality

Answer 9

Sexual attraction between people of the same sex.

Question 10

Secularism

Answer 10

The belief that religions should play no role in the running of the state or public life

Question 11

Negative liberty

Answer 11

Freedom from interference from others

Question 12

Positive liberty

Answer 12

The active involvement of citizens in the control of the state

Question 13

Leviticus 20:13

Answer 13

“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman.. they are to be put to death”

Question 14

Principle of liberty (Mill)

Answer 14

The only reason for interfering with another’s liberty is to protect from physical harm, if we intervene we are determining what is best for them

Question 15

Utilitarianism on sexual ethics

Answer 15

Pleasure in sex is a good thing, so shared pleasure can build happiness in a relationship, though sex is a lower pleasure to Mill

Question 16

Situation ethics on sexual ethics

Answer 16

Rejecting homosexuality is not the most loving thing to do.
Pragmatic approach to extramarital sex - harder to justify but in extreme circumstances, it could be seen as the most loving thing to do.
Premarital sex - Agape love vs eros - promiscuous sex isn’t good, but sex in a loving committed relationship is good

Question 17

Kantian ethics on sexual ethics

Answer 17

Premarital - Marriage is better = give each other rights so that sexual relationship doesn’t ‘degrade human nature’ by treating the other person as an object
Extramarital - Breaks promises made in marriage (against kingdom of ends and universalisation)
Homosexuality - cannot be universalised

Question 18

Natural law on sexual ethics

Answer 18

Premarital - against ordered society + divine law, apparent good
Extramarital - undermines divine, natural and human law
Homosexuality - against precept of reproduction + divine law (Bible)