Sexual Ethics: Natural Law Flashcards
What does the Summa Theologica say about sex?
Sex is wrong when “the act of its nature is incompatible with the purpose of the sex act” (procreation) Purposes of pleasure and emotional bonding are excellent by-products but they must not become ends in themselves.
What does reproduction mean for homosexual sex?
The “telos” or purpose of the sexual act is reproduction – it is one of our purposes as human beings. This is central to NL’s rejection of homosexual sex.
What does Divine Law say about extra-marital sex?
“Do not commit adultery” = 10 commandments – this would be sufficient to rule out extra marital sex even without the primary and secondary precepts.
What are the four example Aquinas gives in the Summa Theologica?
“The sin of self-abuse” (masturbation), “intercourse with a thing of another species” (bestiality), acts with a person of the same sex (homosexuality), and acts in which “the natural style of intercourse is not observed, as regards proper organ or according to other beastly and monstrous techniques” (foreplay?)
Real and apparent goods?
Although sex may lead to pleasure , the purpose of sex is reproduction. To pursue pleasure through pre marital sex, extra marital sex or a homosexual relationship is an apparent good – right reasoning about our telos would lead us to reject these ideas according to NL.
What does the Roman Catholic Church say about contraception?
• Today the use of artificial form of contraception is prohibited by the Roman Catholic Church, as it prevents God’s purpose from taking place – most likely to be used in pre marital and extra marital relationships.
