sexual ethics (9) Flashcards
changing attitudes to sex
contraception now means pre marital sex is less risky. 75% of people see no issue with pre marital sex in 2019. gay marriage was legalised in 2014, 68% dont think gay marriage is wrong.
85% do think extra marital sex is wrong.
non harm principle
Mill thought the government should hardly intervene in people’s lives. rules are only needed to prevent harm and take action if there is harm.
Harris supports, sexual ethics isnt needed since issues or violence and needed in other situations.
focualt and feminism
Focualt- challenges religious thinking on sexual ethics and categories sexual behaviour normal/abnormal.
feminism- sexual ethics is an important topic of discussion. gender inquality means women are effected by discrimination. Me Too shows this.
sexual behaviour is purely private and personal
- argues that provided consent is present, no other sexual ethics need to be satisfied. freedom is some cases, but abhorrent dealt with
- Mill’s principle of non-harm would ensure no one elses views need to be satisfied
- Aquinas natural law is wrong in assuming that all persons have a purpose. when purpose is removed, sex is free,
sexual ethics may not be seen as private and personal
- sexual behviour effects people. extra marital affairs: children may be effected
- ethical theories offer a response to minimal view which reduces sex. Fletcher’s focus on love challenges
- need to discuss ethical issues surrounding inbalance of power in sexual relationships
natural law and sexual ethics
Aquinas, each person has a telos. primary precept of reproduction means any act where reproduction doesnt happen is wrong. no gays. Aquinas believed marriage is needed for an ordered society, ‘generative’ and ‘unitive’. rejects pre marital and extra marital sex.
Pope Paul VI
“fundamental nature of marriage// also renders them capable of generating new life”
John Finnis
Finnis bases natural law on Aristotle, not Aquinas. argues that certain things in life are basic to human flourishing like repoduction and knowledge. argues marriage is a basic good as produce friendship/spirituality. says homosexual relationships dont achieve children and so is harmful.
natural law is a helpful approach to sexual ethics
-avoids cheapening sexual acts
- focus on purpose is helpfully provided and frees itself from a very legalistic approach
- right to link marriage and children. children of married parents more likely to flourish.
natural law is not a helpful approach to sexual ethics
- derived from divine law and rely on God. if there is no God then there is no reason
- God is problematic. assumes people have a telos and assumes telos of sex
- natural law argues they are naturally built, but some have homosexual desires.
- focus on reproudction, such as sex between the infertile, wrong
- legalistic and not moved with the times.
applying situation ethics
Fletcher though pre marital sex and homosexuality not morally wrong based on love. even extra marital sex could be justified. Fletcher still warns about the dangers of promiscuity as may devalue people.
difficult cases
Mrs Bergmeier captured by Russians and held as prisoner. women only released from camp if pregnant and a Russian guard offered to help.
female american agent asked to use her sexuality to trap an enemy agent. when protesting, she was told it was like her brother on the front lines.
situation ethics is a good approach to sexual ethics
- people centrered
- flexible and avoidss cheapening of sexuality.
- enables decisions to be based on core religious principles without sacrificng autonomy or flexibility
- treats people as adults
- often a lack of love when it comes to sexual ethics
situation ethics is a poor approach to sexual ethics
- overlooks the fact that there are sexual ethics absolutes
- selectively interprets the Bible
- difficult to know how far to take notion of love
- may be good to some extent, may be too demanding for people
ancient views on sexual ethics
Pythagoreans and Plato viewed the soul as more important that body and sex was a corruption. Stoics believed that it was a neccesary evil.
Cynics saw sex as something to be celebrated and was a part of ritual worship in some places.
Christianity and sexual ethics
JC says vert little about sexuality but Apostle Paul says people should remain celibate.
Matthew 5:32= “anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery”
1 Corinthian 6:10= “Neither the sexually immoral nor adulterers… Will inherit the Kingdom of God”
religious ideas should not continue to ave an influence in sexual ethics
- society has changed both religiously and sexually
- non-harm principle addresses most of the problems
- many other ethics fail to recognise importance
religious ideas should continue to have an influence in sexual ethics
- religious ideas are useful contrast to modern culture that risks cheapening culture
- marriage is valued in religion and statically better for children
- understanding religion in context helps use
Kantian ethics and sexual ethics
premarital- Kant would oppose as not based on mutual promise making. based on lust
extramarital- break the promises we made in marriage ceremony, this cannot be universalised
homosexuality- Kant argued it was human desire, treating others as means. also could not be universalised. modern Kantians would say that it is okay as it will allow gays not to be treated as a neabs,
persons
Kant believed we are persons because we have the ability to make rational decisions. Kants main concern about sexuality is that is reduces us to acting like animals.
neo-Kantians
would argue that we are too depdendent on marriage. may be possible for both to have a ‘contract’ basis to have pre marital sex.
Kantian ethics is helpful approach to sexual ethics
- respect for persons is useful feature of Kantian, ensures we treat people as means
- gives clear guidance without relying on religion.
- based on logic and rational principles, important when emotion may cloud us
Kantian ethics is not helpful approach to sexual ethics
- optimism about marriage may be misplaced, 40% of marriages end in divorce. Beauvoir argues that the instituions of marriage treats women as slaves
- Kants rationality is out of place, emotion at the heart of this topic
utilitarianism is a helpful approach to sexual ethics
- modern and progressive. views homosexuality and cohabitation well
- secular theory and recognises that the traditional way of thinking needs to be replaced
- flexible to the situation and minimal rules.
