Sexual ethics Flashcards
1
Q
How were women who had premarital sex in the Old Testament treated?
A
They were stoned to death
2
Q
What in the Old Testament suggests family is important?
A
“happy is he who has a quiver full of them” (children)
3
Q
What did God command adam and eve to do?
A
“go forth and multiply”
4
Q
How was sexual love in engaged relationships celebrated in the Old testament?
A
Song of Solomon - poem where a couple celebrate each other’s bodies sexually before marriage
5
Q
What did Jesus teach in the new testament that suggests premarital sex is wrong?
A
“when a man leaves his mother and father, he joins with his wife and the two become one flesh”
6
Q
What did St Paul teach in the new testament that suggests premarital sex is wrong?
A
“better to marry than burn with vain desire”
7
Q
What did St Paul teach in the new testament that suggests premarital sex/homosexuality is wrong?
A
“the sexually immoral will not enter the kingdom of heaven”
8
Q
What did the libertines believe?
A
They believed they could do as they wished with their bodies, however St Paul wrote to them saying they should only have sex in marriage
9
Q
What are the strengths of using the bible?
A
- It is authoritative - divine word of God
- “god breathed” - timothy
10
Q
What are the weaknesses of using the bible?
A
- it is outdated
- society now has more secular attitudes to PMS
- contraception is more widely accepted
- Grunbaum - the Bible is written by “old men” and outdated regarding sex.
11
Q
How do primary precepts link to premarital sex?
A
PMS is not part of an ordered society. Sex within marriage means children are not born out of wedlock, but into a stable family. PMS can lead to abortion, which is bad as innocent life must be preserved. Marriage is to have children.
12
Q
What does Anscombe say?
A
Catholics takes seriously that marriage and family life are bound together. No artificial contraception makes promiscuity less likely, thus the rise in abortion less likely so marriage is for children
13
Q
Strengths of using NML with sexual ethics?
A
- Based on empiricism
- ensures syneidesis is kept
- Fulfils purposes of humans
- less family breakdown in society
- protects people with rules as it makes sex a public matter
- deontological approach which rules out PMS based on the feature of the act itself
14
Q
Weaknesses of NML with sexual ethics?
A
- sex is a private matter, it is not right to have such public rules
- a more relative approach may be better as deontology is too strict
- a more compassionate approach may be better
- PMS with contraception does not necessarily lead to societal disorder
- Naturalistic fallacy
- there is no CHN (kung and nielson)
- availability of contraception makes NML an outdated approach
15
Q
What do Catholics believe about promiscuity?
A
it devalues marriage
16
Q
Is contraception accepted by Catholics?
A
No - unless it is family planning as a natural form
17
Q
Why do Catholics believe sex is for marriage? (Pope)
A
Pope Benedict XVI wrote that PMS is a sin but forgiveness should be granted for sinners
18
Q
How do Catholics view sex within marriage?
A
It is procreative, and its unitive aspect is stressed. Sex is seen as uniting and bonding a couple.
19
Q
What did the Catholic church say on sex within marriage?
A
“this love is uniquely expressed and perfected through the marital act”
20
Q
What did Pope Francis say on homosexuality?
A
The Catholic church should not marginalise homosexuals, they should be welcome in the church. Only god can judge them. “who am i to judge?”
21
Q
How does Jack Dominion criticise the church/nml?
A
He claimed that sex is for showing love and commitment and for expressing sexual identity, not solely to produce children. There was nothing wrong with couples who loved and were committed to one another having sex before marriage.
22
Q
How did Leiser criticise the church/nml?
A
Like a screwdriver, sex has many functions. It can be for procreation, but also for expressing love and commitment and pleasure.
23
Q
What does the Church of England teach on contraception?
A
They allow contraception, due to the 1930s depression in the UK when couples could not afford to have children
24
Q
What do Evangelical christians teach?
A
Sexual relationships should not be had outside of marriage.
25
What is the Pledge of True Love Waits?
Evangelical - this pledged baptists to not have sex until marriage. Furthermore, the Silver Ring Thing was created to encourage young people to abstain from sex until marriage
26
What teaching from Thessalonians did evangelicals base their views on?
"for this is the will of God, your sanctification, that each one of you knows how to control your own body in holiness and honour"
27
What do Liberals such as Harvey Cox claim?
Only love is important in a relationship. Whether a couple are married or not does not matter.
28
Strengths of the Evangelical view?
- self discipline and control are important in sexual ethics
- takes bible seriously as direct word of god - they are true to the gospel and have a responsibility to preach the truth about sex
29
Weaknesses of the evangelical view?
- ignores caring and loving relationships
- is narrow minded regarding homosexuality
30
Strengths of the liberal view?
- agapeic love is important
- all churches try to protect people in sexual ethics by advocating committed and loving relationships, usually through marriage
31
Weaknesses of the liberal view?
- does not take bible seriously enough as direct word of god
- difficult to know what is loving
- people may think they are having sex out of love when it is out of lust
32
What did Fletcher believe on contraception?
Contraception is loving for the couple if thats what they want, people matter and come above based on God's love.
33
What is Fletcher's example ?
The example of the spy - would it be loving to sleep with a spy to gain information that could save lives even if you are a Christian who believes in sex only in marriage?
34
What did Fletcher believe regarding PMS?
Fletcher believed that it is loving to let a couple choose for themselves — especially if the couple love each other unconditionally and are in a committed relationship. This serves agape. He would never agree with rape, underage premarital sex etc - it does not will the neighbour's good, it is an end that can never be justified based on love
35
What did Fletcher write about what Jesus said?
"jesus said nothing about premarital sex, homosexuality birth control, childlessness, abortion and did not condemn these. Whether any action is good or evil depends on whether love is fully served"
36
Strengths of Situation ethics with sexual ethics?
- using reason means couples can decide for themselves
- flexible, relative approach
- focus on agapeic love
- always considers consequences, so compassionate
- Jesus set no laws on sex, he taught love is most important
37
Weaknesses of Situation ethics with sexual ethics?
- Vardy - crosses dangerous boundaries
- Dostoevsky - people need rules
- Pope Pius XII - too subjective and individualistic
- cannot always predict if a consequence will be loving
- feature of act itself does matter - having sex before marriage is immoral
- Jesus did teach that PMS is wrong
38
What does the Old testament teach on adultery?
10 commandments - do not commit adultery
39
What did Jesus say to the adulterous woman?
He saved her from being stoned and said "go and sin no more"
40
What did Jesus allow divorce for?
marital unfaithfulness
41
How does NML view adultery?
It breaks the precept to live in an ordered society. It does not fulfil the syneidesis rule. However, Aquinas believes that if a man sleeps with another mans wife but thinks it is his wife, and has an educated conscience, he is not to blame.
42
How does situation ethics view adultery?
It can sometimes be the most loving thing - Mrs Bergmeier example
43
What does the church teach on adultery?
It is wrong as it breaks the sacrament of marriage. It leads to a breakdown of family life
44
What did Jesus teach on adultery?
"what god has joined let no man separate"
45
What vow does adultery break?
to be faithful "til death do us part"
46
What does situation ethics teach on homosexuality?
- laws are "word of the devil" so christians should dare to "sin bravely"
People should have a loving attitude to homosexuals
47
What does Leviticus say? (supported by evangelicals)
No man shall lie with another man for it is an abomination
48
What is the Liberal view on homosexuality?
God created man with his sexuality so homosexual feelings are natural
49
What do Liberals use that jesus said to support homosexuality?
"love thy neighbour" can be interpreted to mean we should have a loving attitude to homosexuals
50
What is Moore's weakness of using the bible?
Christians select the material that suits them. Evangelicals take the passage “Do not lie with a man as one would lie with a woman” but ignore the scriptural passages that state beheading is the punishment for homosexual acts and reject those that state not to mix two cloths of different kinds. They Use Scripture to reinforce prejudices.
51
What does Boswell claim?
The word for homosexuals used in the New Testament Greek is unclear – it may not mean homosexual and so hard to interpret.
52
What does Leibniz say on divine command?
Divine commands are not to be trusted e.g “For why praise God if he would be equally praiseworthy for doing exactly the contrary.”
53
Why does Ayer reject God's commands?
“No command can be founded on authority even if the authority were divine.”
54
What does the Catholic church believe about homosexuals?
If homosexuals have an inclination towards a person of the other sex this is not a sin. The homosexual person should be treated with love and mercy. Homosexuals must be treated in a respectful and loving manner as people. However, homosexuals must be chaste and not have sex. No life comes from these acts and the bible condemns homosexual sex as does Natural Moral law.
55
What does the catholic church stress?
Use of individual conscience - some bishops agree with use of artificial contraception to preserve life - Bishop Dowling HIV
56
What do Liberal churches believe on homosexuality?
They claim that the biblical basis condemning the act of homosexuality is disputable. St. Paul’s words about homosexuality are unsound because it isn’t clear what the original Greek words mean. Liberals claim that all people are made in the image of God and therefore the inclination and act of homosexuality must be good.
57
What do Vardy believe on homosexuality?
Vardy thinks it’s odd how St Paul was willing to condemn homosexuality on the basis of Jewish law and yet also condemn Jewish law in other parts of his writings. He also says it may be a genetic disposition.
58
What does Moore claim about christianity?
Christianity is a religion that makes room for the marginalised and the outcasts and so there must be room for homosexuals etc in the religion
59
What does Robinson claim?
Human rights are for all so if heterosexuals have the right to marry then so do homosexuals and lesbians.
60
How does NML view homosexuality?
Homosexual sex is immoral as it does not lead to reproduction and spread of Aids has lead to societal breakdown. It leads to societal disorder, and cannot fulfil the unitive aspect of sex. As NML is absolute this applies to all homosexuals.
61
What does Mackie say on morality?
It should be relative
62
What does NML fail to take into account regarding homosexuality?
Homosexual feelings appears to be natural according to science. They could have evolved over time (Dawkins)
63
What does Kant say sex does?
"Sex makes of the loved person an Object of appetite. Taken by itself it is a degradation of human nature"
64
What does Kant say on desire?
“In desire you are compromised in the eyes of the object of desire, since you have displayed that you have designs which are vulnerable to his intentions"
65
What does Kant say on sex? (to make...
"to make of oneself an Object of demand, is to dispose over oneself as a thing and to make of oneself a thing on which another satisfies his appetite, just as he satisfies his hunger upon a steak."
66
What does Kant believe on PMS?
Premarital sex occurs when sexual impulses overwhelm reason. According to Kant the most virtuous expression of sexuality is to be found within marriage. While a couple are still placed on the level of non – rational creatures for a temporary time while having sex it is permissible because it is done in the broader context of two people freely engaging in a cooperative lifelong contractual venture. They are not using each other merely as a means to an end but are doing so in a broader situation of overall respect.
67
What is the connection between reason and sex?
Lust is the chief disturber of reason, because it dishonours our reason as it violates the dignity of a person who is a member of the kingdom of ends and thus should be treated with dignity and not as a means to an end.
68
What are Kant's views on sex as a deontologist?
The highest form of good is good will and to have a good will is to do ones duty - right actions are only right if it can be applied universally, such as the universal law to respect the dignity of people by not treating them as means to an end - as you do when you have sex, because you are using them to satisfy your sexual impulses, which degrades our status as rational beings.
68
What does Kant believe the purpose of marriage is?
The purpose of marriage is to allow the union of two persons of different sexes to have life long reciprocal possession of their sexual faculties. Husband and wife are on equal footing in this regard and sexual enjoyment is a right to be expected within the partnership, until death do they part.
69
What are the weaknesses of using Kant in sexual ethics?
- Every situation is unique and therefore universal laws cannot be applied
- Duties can conflict - people can find themselves in situations were they have no choice but to abandon one principle for the sake of another
- Kant is much too optimistic about human moral autonomy and puts too much weight on human judgment.
- However, the danger is that as the sole creators of moral rules, humans could make whatever laws they like and this could result in the breakdown of any sense of a universally accepted moral code.
70
Why are there secular attitudes to sexual ethics today ?
○ Growth of natural sciences means people do not accept accepted patterns of thinking about religious beliefs in sexual ethics
○ Personal choice matters more in sexual ethics and all other areas
○ Maclaren - Media has influenced sexual attitudes
○ Less emphasis on procreation means people can have gay sex
○ Science shows religious beliefs are outdated
71
Brazil case study
§ Anti-gay crime rising
§ Alexander - 15yr old, out with friends when abducted because he 'looked gay'. Tortured for 2 hours. Strangled with his own t shirt. Three men were never prosecuted.
§ No anti homophobia laws in place
§ Politician blocking anti homophobia law - supported by right wing Christian groups, says Alexander case is a sob story, says homosexuals die due to drugs, prostitution or killed by partners, says anti homophobia classes would stimulate homosexuality in young children which is 'not normal', Brazilian culture is not ready for homosexuality, fathers would not be proud of gay children, gays want to 'reach our children in order to turn them into gay adults to satisfy their sexuality in the future', fundamentalist homosexual groups trying to take over society, thinking of having hetero pride
72
Russia case study
§ Millinov believes by banning gay propaganda he can prevent new generation becoming gay, believes gay families are perverts and children of gay parents are considered even worse
§ Gay parents accused of promoting homosexuality to their children
§ Aggression in the streets, Nazi groups targeting gays - one woman attacked by 12 with bats, then attacked again - was a rape attempt victim, police did not help/care
§ 1 in 4 gay teens has attempted suicide, illegal to offer them support
§ Support group Coming Out offers help for gay teens
§ Millinov - most gay people are lying about their problems because they like to be favoured
73
What does Bentham say on homosexuality?
Says it is an offence against the self - but later changed his mind
74
How does Mill's liberty apply to sexual ethics?
Liberty of women-up to the woman if she wanted to have sex outside of marriage. Generally sex before/outside marriage a lower pleasure but within marriage a higher pleasure. In themselves sex before marriage and adultery were not wrong. However, they could lead to the sexual exploitation of women which was wrong.
75
How does Wethmeier criticise Mill?
His emphasis on woman’s freedom can lead to a lack of freedom e.g women being used by pimps in prostitution.
76
How can Singer be applied?
He was concerned with positive harm. Consenting adults can do as they wish as long as it does not cause harm to others.
77
Did Mill support contraception?
Mill was first utilitarian to campaign in favour of Contraception as it gives woman more control over their lives
78
What did Mill say on homosexuality?
Sex is morally neutral but when performed in public is in bad taste. Law should ban homosexual acts in public places but not in the private bedroom.
79
How does Devlin criticise utilitarianism?
He argues that homosexuality should warrant a prison sentence. Argued that many immoral things take place in the home and these affect society at large.
80
How does Hart criticise utilitarianism?
The law should not interfere with individual morality but it should interfere to protect the vulnerable. Young and vulnerable people need the protection of the law when it comes to homosexual acts.
81
Strengths of using utilitarianism?
- Relative and flexible
- protects society with laws - as public matters as well as private
- brings most happiness
- fits well with secular society
- empirical (happiness is a fact)
82
Weaknesses of using utilitarianism?
- too flexible
- for Bentham is may be base happiness - could lead to promiscuity and disorder
- can't predict ends
- unhappy minority (macintyre)
83
What did Cardinal Razinger say on homosexuality?
"the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well being of a large number of people"
