Topic 9 - Sexual Ethics Flashcards
what is the christian teaching on marriage?
primary purpose to procreation although also to nurture children and control sex outside marriage.
what does it mean for marriage to be a sacrament ?
a sacrament is a highly significant religions moment. Thus, the ceremony is said to be witnessed by God’s grace and is more than a contract and is morally and spiritually binding.
the view of marriage is indissoluble and excludes divorce, only annulment can end a marriage.
what does it mean to say ‘compassionate marriage?”
originally the emphasis of marriage was that of procreation now the idea is shifting towards companionship, friendship and love
as the anglican jeremy taylor said - ‘christian charity is friendship’
what is the christian teaching on premarital sex?
forbidden as both sacramental and covenantal ideas of marriage require an act of sexual intercourse to complete the marriage.
whilst nowadays liberal christians are less hardline regarding trial marriages they maintain the official stance of a stable marriage as ideal for family and sexual life.
however, less strong e.g. Archbishop of York, John Sentamu supported Prince William and Kate cohabitation (Sex before marriage) as a sensible means of testing their desire to marry.
what is the christian stance on extramarital sex?
Leviticus - “if a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour, both the adulteress and the adulterer shall be put to death.”
what is the christian teaching stance on homosexuality?
Leviticus 18 - “you shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination”
goes against procreation
what do liberal christians say regarding homosexuality?
liberal christians are inspired by the presentation of Jesus the liberator, whose message was to ‘let the oppressed go free’ (Luke 4:18)
how does mill’s liberty principle apply to sexual ethics?
NEGATIVE LIBERTY - the least interference of the state or anyone else to restrict individual behaviour
POSITIVE LIBERTY - the freedom to fulfil one’s potential by being actively involved in government
Mill supports negative liberty especially when it comes to sexual practices, this means a variety of lifestyles enhances the richness and enjoyment of society.
as shown when Lord Wolfenden adopted Mill’s liberty principle to decriminalise homosexuality despite it going against his own christian principles.
what is the uk civil partnership law?
became law 2005
civil partners have the same rights as married couples in a range of legal matters, including
tax
employment benefits
most state and occupational benefits.
what is natural law’s stance on marital, premarital and extramarital relationships?
premarital sex in a committed relationship prior to marriage may be justified in order to fulfil the primary precepts but this isn’t strictly true and is an apparent good (an action that appears good but doesn’t enhancer the purpose of a human being)
extramarital strictly not allowed as these undermine divine, natural and human laws
martial - “be fruitful and multiply’ marriage is a sacrament ordained by god and in accordance with aquinas’ primary precepts allows proper ordering of sex
what is natural law’s view on homosexual relationships?
on the large part, natural law condemns homosexuality as it doesn’t allow for procreation
although, some theologians such as norman piittenger said ‘we do not know the origins of homosexuality other than that for some it is fulfilling and satisfying and it is therefore inhumane to deny’
what is kantian ethics’ view on marital, premarital and extramarital sex?
marriage is based on keeping duties. sexual relations and marriage must be given freely and out of the respect that moral law requires.
extramartial sex out of lust is therefore wrong as it would be treating as means to an end
premarital sex is rejected due to a lack of commitment and again people are using one another for a certain reason.
what is kantian ethics’ view on homosexuality?
as kant argues sexual intercourse may only take place within marriage and between husband and wife it follows that homosexuality falls into the same category as adultery and premarital sex, it lacks mutual commitment
although, it is possible if loving, committed and respectful
what is utilitarianism’s view on marriage, premarital and extramarital sex?
marriage - not necesserily lifelong; good if it develops happiness and protects rights
premarital - cohabitation is flexible; adaptable to changing preferences
extramarital - not intrinsically wrong; could cause jealousy and uncertainty
what is utilitarianism’s view on homosexuality
must be consensual; should avoid harmful practices; variety of lifestyles enriches society
what is situation ethics’ view on marriage, premarital and extramarital sex?
marriage - autonomy/love supports marriage but not necessarily for life companionship
premarital - cohabitation means of exploring sexual relationships; must be mutually loving/respectful
extramarital - adultery generally causes unhappiness but could be justified for pragmatic reasons
what is situation ethics view on homosexuality?
bible indicative but not prescriptive. Must be a loving, respectful relationship
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 1 - fundamental christianity, some forms are unnatural (aquinas + pope paul)
• Some forms of sexual behaviour are harmful as they are unnatural, thus they should not be tolerated. Aquinas natural law, Aristotelian teleological origins; For example, homosexuality and procreation/ ordered society. Pope Paul VI Humanae Vitae “every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life”, “intrinsically disordered”, contra naturam, family unit would dissipate, society break down.
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 1 - counter argument
religious ideas are backward (fletcher - situation ethics)
- However, attitudes towards sex are not universal. Some see sex for pleasure/ unitive, not reproduction, thus there is no harm in homosexual marriage. Joseph Fletcher’s situationalism, not fixed law.
- There is no intrinsic human nature, different people will have different sexual preferences.
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 1 - counter response
apparent goods/flourishing
But these people are ignorant and will not reach the Summum Bonum. Need strict laws to guide people and ensure they flourish. Homosexuality is an apparent good! Right reasoning about our telos would lead us to reject the idea.
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 1 - conclusive response
repressive hypothesis (foucault)
- French philosopher Michael Foucalt, “normal” and “abnormal”. Variety enriches society. Deontological religious approaches which force specific sexual behaviour are harmful in themselves, as they prevent autonomy.
- Foucault, in ‘The History of Sexuality’ argues that we generally read the history of sexuality since the 18th century in terms of what Foucault calls the “repressive hypothesis.” The repressive hypothesis supposes that since the rise of the bourgeoisie, any expenditure of energy on purely pleasurable activities has been frowned upon. As a result, sex has been treated as a private, practical affair that only properly takes place between a husband and a wife. Sex outside these confines is not simply prohibited, but repressed.
- Foucault suggests the repressive hypothesis is essentially an attempt to give revolutionary importance to discourse on sexuality. The repressive hypothesis makes it seem both defiant and of utmost importance to our personal liberation that we talk openly about sex.
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 2 - religious morality ensures stable society (st paul + kant)
- It could be argued that modern secular attitudes to sex are too liberal and are in fact damaging – St Paul advocated celibacy as a state of holiness, yet if people needed to give into passion they should marry first, “it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1 Corinthians)
- Goods of marriage – procreation, nurture, control of sex, “til death do us part”, convenant between God and his people encourages loyalty and respect for sex, avoids sex being cheapened (perhaps this religious value is attractive to atheists also, such as Kant who argued we must never treat any as a means to an end, and should respect other human beings as rational and autonomous)
ESSAY PLAN - SEXUAL ETHICS
“critically assess traditional religious ethical teaching about sexual ethics”
“how effective is natural law// situation ethics?”
POINT 2 - counter argument
sexual choices are personal (macintyre)
• Sexual decisions are highly personal and would not make sense to universalise them (Macintyre, virtue ethicist). Puritanism – rules taking precedence over people; if an individual was lonely and unhappy in their marriage, disallowing them to seek pleasure from others surely restricts their autonomy.
