adultery

• society-linked approaches (Durkheim + Fromm)

  • in western society, changed views on the nature of marriage have made it more socially acceptable
  • other societies see it as a threat to the stability of society
• reason-based approaches (Aquinas + Butler)

  • adultery conflicts with the synderesis + violates the primary precept of living in an ordered society
  • it is contrary to the divine law teaching on marriage + adultery, as per the 10 Commandments
  • Aquinas' example of marrying a widow + not knowing her husband was still alive - this is NOT blameworthy
  • Butler's intuitive conscience would reject adultery as against the Bible
• voice of God approaches (Augustine + Schleiermacher)

  • would normally be in line with the 10 Commandments
  • for modern thinkers, in very exceptional situations it guidance might still go against all accepted ethical rules
• psychological approaches (Freud + Kohlberg)

  • adultery would not be seen as a moral issue
  • for Freud, a guilt conscience arises out of accepting social restrictions intended to control expression of the id + resultant sexual frustration
• situationist approaches (Fletcher)

  • there is no absolute right or wrong
  • all depends on the agapeic calculus' assessment of the situation