Sexual Ethics Flashcards
What are the three areas in sexual ethics
Homosexuality, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex
what is the traditional view on the matters in sexual ethics
They are all wrong due to christian beliefs
2019 what percentage of British population had no problem with premarital sex
75%
When was gay marriage legalised in England
2014
What is still considered wrong in Britain
Extra-marital sex
What is the significant change in sexual behaviour in recent times
Large increase in the amount of couples that live together and have sex before marriage
Why do some believe sexual ethics isnt a significant topic
It is a completely private and personal matter
What is the contractarian non harm view to sexual ethics
No rules about sexual ethics are needed to be imposed by governments as long as it is consensual and not harmful, rules are only needed to prevent harm
Who champions the contractarian view to sexual ethics
Mill and John Harris of rule utilitarianism, sexual ethics isnt needed, as issues are covered in other ethical debates
Foucault view on sexual ethics
Challenges religious thinking on sexual ethics as it categorises sexual expression into normal and abnormal causes prejudices, urgent debates needed in sexual ethics
Feminist view on sexual ethics
Sexual ethics is important, gender inequality is present and women are sexually discriminated in comparison to men, MeToo movement targets issues like abuse revenge porn workplace assault
Reasons why sexual ethics and behaviour should be private
- Contraction view that provided consent there are no other ethical considerations, ensuring personal freedom
- Mills non harm ensures there is no ethical or political debate necessary
- Existentialism argues that there is a mistake in assuming all people have a purpose to reproduce, sexuality should be free
Reasons why sexual ethics and behaviour should not be private
- Sexual behaviour like extramarital sex affects people very much so should be ethically considered
- Sex is very natural and should be talked about
- Minimal view cheapens and reduces importance of sex and love
- Need for discussion to correct gender issues in sex and religious involvement in sex
How would Aquinas apply natural law to sexual ethics
Primary precept of reproduction of the sole purpose of the sex would naturally come up with secondary precepts that rule out homosexuality, masturbation, contraception
What does Aquinas believe about marriage
Marriage is very important for an ordered society, marriage has a generative and unitive functions
How influential has aquinas natural law been
Extremely influential in forming the views of the Catholic Church as well as many European governments view in the past 500 years
How does Aquinas view on marriage affect sexual ethics
Rejects both premarital and extramarital sex as these are lustful forms of sex not generative, also breaks up the order In society, Ten Commandments rules against adultery
Who is the modern natural law philosopher
Finnis
What is Finnis view on sexual ethics
Basic goods of human flourishing like reproduction and freindship, knowledge. Marriage is fundamentally good as it combines reproduction and freindship. Homosexuality doesn’t contribute to reproduction so is harmful to society
Strengths of natural law in sexual ethics
- Focus on marriage and reproduction avoids cheapening and casualising sex
- Focus on purpose of sex as unitive can help discern from some of legalistic church interpretations of sexual ethics
- Natural law is correct in suggesting a married relationship is a more stable environment to raise a child and create order in society
Weaknesses of natural law in sexual ethics
- Pre-scietific view in focusing solely on reproduction, matters like masturbation and contraception are much more accepted with science
- If god doesnt exist then their is no ultimate purpose in following the precepts so no need to follow natural law teachings
- Assumptions of the telos of humans and of sexual acts as generative and unitive. Also pleasurable and healthy
- Relies on natural sexual inclinations of humans but ignores natural homosexual inclinations, naturalistic fallacy
- Surely elderly couples should never have sex as they cant reproduce
- Legalistic and anachronistic overly religious in secular society
Who argues natural law is built into the universe and is evident even if god doesnt exist
Hugo Grotius
Who argues men have no purpose
Russell
Freud on sexual ethics
Libdio is a driving force in peoples minds so no one should be denied their sexual inclinations
What is the We are Church movement
Calls for christian churches to be more accepting of sexual ethical issues
Fletcher on extramarital sex
Not a morally wrong act provided it is based on agape in the right situation, not spite or lust as he rules promiscuity as wrong as it treats people as objects
Fletchers example of advocating for extramarital sex
Mrs Bergmeier a German woman captured by Russians she became impreganted with a Russian officer so should could get sent back home.
Fletcher on homosexuality
Denies the traditional christian view on homosexuality stating that it is legalistic, advocates for homosexuality as it is the most loving thing in the sitaution to allow people their sexual inclination, putting focus on the person and relative situation not legalistic rules
Strengths of situation ethics in sexual ethics
- Person centred which is the perfect approach to sexual ethics
- Flexible in sexual issues but avoids relativist pitfall of cheapening sex by still enforcing agape in every sexual relationship
- Allows sexual ethics to maintain religious principles whilst modernising
- Treats people with autonomy respecting their own sexual decision making ability
- Jesus refused to condemn adulterous women as many had been abused
Weaknesses of situations this in sexual ethics
- Ignores religious absolutes in sexual ethics about adultery
- selective in teachings of Jesus enforcing love but ignoring when Jesus condemned divorce
- Difficult top know where the idea of the loving consequences ends as should most loving decisions include children and extended family?
- Teleological so requires predicting if the outcome of ones sexual decision will be loving, may have felt in the moment but could be wrong
- Very vague guidance to people who want help in decision making
- Mrs Bergmeier is such an extreme case
Biblical teachings on sexual ethics
- In genesis Adam is stated as needing a women to complete him, marriage is right as it completes both sexes
- Homosexuality is condemned multiple times in the bible, Leviticus, Corinthians
- Adultery is condemned in Ten Commandments
- Religious sanctity of marriage enforces agasint pre and extra marital sex
Why is marriage so important in christianity
Man protects the women as the women is faithful and obedient is seen as metaphor as god protects his creation if they are faithful and obedient
Reasons why religious ideas shouldn’t continue to have influence on sexual ethics
- Seems strange religion should have a say in sexual ethics when majority of society is secular
- Mills non harm and requirement for consent addresses the drastic issues ins sexual ethics so no need for religion
- Religious views are outdated and misinterpret the values of sex
- Foucault argues religious ideas have introduced harmful ideas into sexual ethics
reasons why religious ideas should have influence ons sexual ethics
- Modern culture greatly cheapens and makes sex very casual, religion stops this
- Religious ideas have been good as Jesus did a lot to advocate for women’s rights in sexual ethics
- Marriage is statistacally supported as the best environment for a child to be raised
How would Act utilitarianism approach sexual ethics
Should be approached situationally but enforces that pleasure is the key purpose of sex not reproduction, so would advocate for homosexuality, pre and extra marital sex.
How would Rule Utilitarianism approach sexual ethics
Sex is a base lower pleasure, so shouldnt be considered for ethical debates, tolerates all sexual issues
How would preference utilitarianism approach sexual ethics
There are much greater more consequential moral issues like pollution and sexual ethics isnt one
Utilitarianism on Premarital sex
No problem with pre marital sex as it results in mainly pleasure, contraception also reduces the negative effects of pre marital sex like STDs and Unwanted pregnancies
Utilitarianism on extra marital sex
Act may advocate for extra marital if the pleasure of the sex outweighs the pain of it, may also advocate for hiding affairs to reduce pain of partners knowing.
However rule would argue that the unity and friendship in a marriage should be preserved as it is a higher pleasure than sex.
Utilitarianism on homosexuality
Argues that there is no logical reason that homosexuality to be illegal as t only results in pleasure for those involved when there would otherwise be pain. Singer argues that homosexuality doesnt harm anyone
Strengths of utilitarianism in sexual ethics
- Modern and progressive views especially on homosexuality
- Secular theory that deviates from harmful traditional views putting reproduction as central
- Flexible and situation which is important as sex is a private and situational matter
- Does enforce that acts that cause harm like rape and prositution as wrong
Weaknesses of Utilitarianims in sexual ethics
- Act focuses on majority pleasure so in theory could advocate for gang rape.
- Pleasure isnt a moral ethical value, what is most pleasurable changes a lot so we may come to regret decision that were once pleasurable as immoral, objective pleasure is hard to measure
- Predicting all consequences and how far these consequences of an act like extra marital sex is very difficult
- Can be subject to tyranny of majority where homosexuality may be outlawed due to homosexuals being a minority
- Consequences determine an action as right and wrong but are out of personal control, advocates for having an affair then hiding it to reduce negative consequences
- Undermines the importance of marriage and makes sex very casual and lustful
Bentham offences agsint self and offences against society
Bentham has no problem with offences against self as these don’t cause societal harm, advocates for pornograpgy, homosexuality, prostitution.
How is Benthams offences against self distinction wrong and harmful
Prostitution is very harmful as it allows sex trafficking, forced prositution, spread of STDs, new studies also show harm of pornography access to young people
What distinguishes Humans from animals for Kant
Humans have a unique rationing ability and the will to make rational decisions on our desires
What is Kants main concern about sexuality
Reduces humans to acting solely on desires like animals, we disregard our unique ability to reason and control desires
Kants view on marriage
marriage is good as it allows for our sexual desires to be controlled by rational will.
Kant on Premarital sex
Kant would oppose this as it is lustful sex that isnt based on the mutual trust in marital sex. Treats people as a means for sexual pleasure, also cant be universalised as marriage provides stable environments for children
Kant on extramarital sex
Cannot be universalised as it breaks the promises and trust made in marriage, treats both parties as a means to an end. And normally involve saying to hide an affair which Kant haas as denying all categorical imperatives
Kant on Homosexuality
kant opposed homosexuality as it degrades human nature to being purely lustful and not treating people as ends, cant be universalised as it means human. race would die out.
Why can Kants view on homosexuality be reassessed in a modern context
in 18th century Germany homosexuality wasn’t legal so all homosexual relationships would’ve been lustful which is his main rejection, so in a modern context where homoesexuality is legal homosexuality can be accepted as it does treat people as ends
Strengths of Kantian ethics in sexual ethics
- Respect for people so people aren’t treated as a means and sexually exploited
- Gives clear deontological sexual rules whilst remaining secular
- Logical and rational which is vital in sexual ethics were emotions cloud judgments
weaknesses of Kantian ethics in sexual ethics
- Whilst is is true that homosexuality cant be universalised as the human race will die out, this is an irrational unrealistic view as not everyone is homosexual
- Kants places too much optimism and focus on marriage, 40% of marriages end in divorce it is not as sacred nowadays
- Kants rationality is out of place in sexual ethics as the main concern would be peoples emotions and passions as that is what drives sexual behaviour
- Technically would allow prostitution as this like marriage is a contractual agreement for sex
—–> kant rules agains trust and prostitution is lustful
How does Simone de Beauvoir oppose marriage focuses
Marriage enslaves women taking away their freedom
