Sexual Ethics

• What must you evaluate in sexual ethics for A Level Philosophy?

  Christian views versus secular views
• What does the debate between private and public refer to in sexual ethics?

  It refers to liberalism versus conservative authoritarianism
• Which normative ethical theories can be applied to sexual ethics?

  Any of the four normative ethical theories
• What issues are included in the study of sexual ethics?

  Homosexuality, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex
• What are the three main Christian approaches to sexual ethics?

  • Conservative Christianity: Biblical teachings & traditional theologians
  • Natural moral law: Typically a conservative Catholic view
  • Liberal Christianity: Bible is not the literal word of God
• What are the two main secular approaches to sexual ethics?

  • Conservative secularists: Maintain traditional sexual ethics
  • Liberal secularists: Traditions are outdated and harmful
• What does St Augustine say about sexual desire and original sin?

  Shame about nakedness is due to original sin
• What does Augustine claim about humanity's state?

  Humanity is the 'massa damnata'
• How do traditional conservative Christians view the Bible?

  As the perfect word of God
• What does the Bible condemn regarding sexual ethics?

  All sex outside heterosexual marriage
• What does St Paul say about homosexuality in 1 Corinthians?

  He condemns "sodomites" as unrighteous
• What does Romans 1:26-27 describe about sexual relations?

  Men abandoned natural relations for unnatural ones
• What does Leviticus 20:13 state about homosexual acts?

  They are considered an abomination
• What does Jesus say about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6?

  Marriage is between a man and a woman
• What does the Bible suggest about temptation and sex?

  Humans are born with original sin causing temptation
• What does 1 Thessalonians 4 say about controlling one's body?

  Control your body as something holy
• How does Galatians 5 describe sexual immorality?

  As "the works of the flesh"
• What commandment addresses adultery?

  Thou shalt not commit adultery
• What does 1 Corinthians 7 say about sexual immorality?

  People should marry to avoid temptation
• What does Jesus claim about lustful thoughts in Matthew 5:28?

  They are equivalent to committing adultery
• How do liberal Christians view the Bible?

  • Not the perfect word of God
  • Product of human interpretation
  • Requires continual re-interpretation
• What do liberal Christians believe about passages reflecting discrimination?

  They can be ignored
• What crisis does liberal inspiration lead to?

  A crisis of authority in the Bible
• What does Freud argue about traditional Christian attitudes towards sex?

  They lead to shame and mental illness
• How does the liberal secular attitude view sexual desire?

  As a natural biological desire
• What does Fry argue about the Church's attitude towards sex?

  It leads to unhealthy repression
• What does Fry compare the Church's obsession with sex to?

  To anorexics and the morbidly obese
• What does the secular view suggest about human nature and sexual norms?

  Humans can be trusted with more freedom
• What does Bishop Barron say about secular culture's attitude towards sex?

  It lacks moral and ethical context
• What does Barron argue is the result of the hook-up culture?

  It leads to self-absorption and destruction
• What does Fry suggest about the Church's claim of being non-repressed?

  It is a denial of their own obsession
• What does situation ethics propose regarding actions?

  • Good actions lead to the most loving outcome
  • Depends on the situation
  • Consent and happiness are key factors
• How does Fletcher illustrate the concept of situation ethics with adultery?

  Through a mother in a prison work camp
• What is the difference between situationism and legalism?

  • Situationism: Ethics based on love and context
  • Legalism: Ethics based on fixed rules
• What does Fletcher's example from 'The Rainmaker' illustrate?

  Morality depends on the situation
• In Nash's play 'The Rainmaker', what action does the rainmaker take?

  The rainmaker has pre-marital sex with a spinster.
• How does the father in 'The Rainmaker' respond to his son's outrage?

  He tells his son to see what’s good.
• What does Fletcher imply about wrongness in ethical situations?

  Wrongness is not absolute; it depends on the situation.
• What is Fletcher's critique of legalism in ethics?

  • Ethics should not be based solely on rules.
  • Individuals must decide moral outcomes.
  • Sexual behavior should follow the principle of Agape.
• What does situation ethics claim about love?

  Love is the basis for ethical judgement.