sexual ethics

• NML application

  • absolutist
  • influenced Catholicism
  • primary precepts - reproduction is the main aim for sex
  • premarital and extramarital sex is wrong - does not promote the flourishing of a (stable) human society - bringing up children in nuclear families - provides stability
  • emphasises sanctity of marriage and reproduction - promoting the stability of society

  
  

  homosexuality: is wrong, can't reproduce, against God's plan for marriage
• Kant application

  • absolutist - duty and categorical imperative
  • formula of ends in itself - human dignity - no exploitative or non-consensual relationships
  • kingdom of ends/ duty - commitment of marriage - honesty, fidelity and loyalty

  
  

  homosexuality:

  • duty to treat others with care and dignity - homosexual relationships should be treated as equal to heterosexual relationships
  • can't be universalised - if everyone is homosexual, heterosexuals are ostracised and vice versa
  • mutual consent - no exploitation
• SE application

  • relativist - no rules guiding premarital or extramarital sex
  • each situation treated individually - agape - find the most loving thing to do

  Fletcher uses examples to show why there should be no absolute rules

  • a woman having sex with a prison guard to secure her freedom
  • a spy having sex with an enemy to bring about the end of a war
• Utilitarianism

  • Mill's harm principle - free to do as we please sexually as long as it does not harm anyone