Implies that the purpose of sexual intercourse is reproduction
Practices considered wrong under natural law
Artificial contraception
Masturbation
Homosexual sexual activity
The Catholic Church supports the view of natural law, but many people challenge it today
Natural law
Does not acknowledge that sexual relationships can be viewed beyond the physical
Telos
The purpose of sexual activity could be unity or strengthening of a relationship
Some argue that the universe does not have telos
If someone does not accept that the world was created by God, then its creation and the universe is random and changeable
The primary precept of reproduction entirely assumes that the female purpose is to have children. Many would consider this notion to be old-fashioned and challenges the idea that there is one single pre-established end
Doctrine of double effect
Allows for some flexibility in natural law when the moral problem seems impossible
Aquinas' example of defence
1. If we are being attacked, we may use proportionate force to save ourselves
2. If this results in the death of the attacker, this is lawful as long as we used proportionate force to preserve our own life
However, we cannot know someone's true motives. They may say they acted to save their life, but how can we really know. This can allow the doctrine to be abused when the person says they acted with good motives when really, they did not
