Sexual ethics

• Natural law - pre/extramarital sex

  • The creation of new life is central to the purpose of sexual intercourse and marriage, and the unifying aspect of love should not be separate from procreation.
  • Sexual acts that cannot bring forth and nurture new life are morally questionable.
  • Contraception intervenes with Gods will.
  • Marriage is a means of achieving order in society. This rejects premarital and extramarital sex despite reproduction being possible.
• Natural law criticism

  • Makes the assumption that the only purpose of sex is reproduction. 
  • Society has moved on, there is now contraception.
  • Gay people can reproduce, just not naturally.
  • Natural law fails to keep pace with changes in modern society
  • The positive effects of a unifying sexual act between a loving couple is a good enough reason for sex without the need to focus on reproduction
  • Sexual acts often cannot lead to reproduction ie. infertile partners, when a women is pregnant, the menopause
  • Extramarital sex could be moral under natural law as a way of resolving infertility
• Leiser criticism of natural law

  • Argues that sexual acts may have multiple purposes, he questions why every sexual act should be required to simultaneously fulfil every purpose.
  • Sexual organs are suited for reproduction and the production of intense sexual pleasure.
  • Condemning people for using their sexual organs to unite pleasure reveals the prejudices and irrational taboos of society,
• Natural law - homosexuality

  • Homosexual acts cannot bring forth new life as it doesn’t ensure that a child is nurtured in a stable, loving relationship.
  • Homosexual, premarital/extramarital sex and using contraceptives are morally wrong according to natural law as they don’t support Aquinas’ primary precepts, not good for sustaining a flourishing society.
  • Sex may feel good, but it is an apparent good.
  • Every sexual act should be open to the transmission of life.
• Natural law - homosexuality - John Finns

  • John Finnis adds to this argument saying that homosexual sex inflicts pain, it is a harmful instrument.
  • Homosexual sex is not a basic need of human flourishing and therefore it is wrong according to natural law. 
  • This approach follows Gods creation story of Adam and Eve who were put on life and formed a relationship, this makes heterosexual relationships natural and part of human flourishing.
• Situation ethics - pre/extramarital sex

  • Questions the absolute teaching of the church that sex should only take place in marriage .
  • Premarital sex is a means of exploring sex and relationships. As long as this is carried out in a mutually loving and respectful way then it is acceptable.
  • Sets aside fixed moral truths in order to put the person and their relationship at the heart of each decision.
• Fletchers example of extramarital sex being acceptable

  • In WW2 a German women was captured by the Russians and held as a prisoner of war.
  • Women were only released from the camp if they were pregnant.
  • A Russian guard offered to help get her back home.
  • She became pregnant with his child, and when the family was reunited, they raised the child as if it were their own.
• Situation ethics - homosexuality

  • Ideas that heterosexual relationships are often viewed as the only form that a legitimate relationship can take place is be unjust.
  • If same sex couples can find a meaningful relationship with one another, then that would be the end that justifies breaking rules on who can have sexual relationships.
  • Fletcher supports the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.
  • It is not loving to condemn homosexual desires.
  • Jesus, ‘he who is without sin may cast the first stone’ shows the loving thing to do is to accept people, to not judge them and to embrace them. 
• Criticisms of situation ethics

  • Situation ethics puts the needs of the primary people first, which makes it difficult to protect broader family interests.
  • Ie. parents who have extramarital affairs are putting the happiness of their husband or wife and their children at risk, undermining their own relationship with betrayal and endangering the security of the upbringing of the children.
  • If situation ethics cannot protect the vulnerable and the young from exploitation, then its claims to be about love and justice will not stand up to security.
• Kantian ethics - pre/extramarital sex

  • Kants main concern with sexuality is that it reduces us to acting purely on desires. This can be avoided in marriage as it is giving and receiving
  • The Kantian principle of treating every human with dignity would require all sexual relationships to be treated equally.
  • Premarital and extramarital sex increases individual freedom, something Kant thought was important, it also increases the requirement for the individuals involved to conduct themselves ethically and take their moral duty towards others seriously, another central concern to Kant.
• Kantian ethics - pre/extramarital sex

  • Kant would oppose premarital sex as it is not based on the metal promise making that is offered in marriage.
  • In addition, sex risks being based on animal instincts and lust.
  • For Kant, extramarital sex would break the promises that were made in the marriage ceremony and this promise breaking cannot be universalised.
  • It is impossible en engage in extramarital sex without treating at least one of the parties involved as a means to an end.
  • Cohabitation shows a lack of commitment which dangers treating people as a means to an end.
• Kantian ethics - homosexuality

  • Kant sees homosexuality as the degradation of human nature based purely on desires, which means that it is not possible to treater the other person as an end.
  • Homosexuality cannot be universalised as this would lead to the human race dying out.
  • Homosexual relationships lack mutual consent and it is purely to seek sexual gratification.
  • Homosexuality lowers man below beasts.
• Utilitarianism

  • Sex in and outside of marriage, irrespective of sexual orientation can arguable maximise pleasure.
  • However, free love can lead to unhappiness, particularly if it results in the spread of STDs, unfulfilling relationships and unwanted pregnancies.
  • Philippa Taylor provides evidence in discussing the view on cohabitation from the perspective of a Christian utilitarian ie. premarital sex can lead to greater fear of rejection, 6x more likely to break up if you cohabit before marriage, higher rates of alcoholism, increased abortion rates.
• Utilitarianism - homosexuality

  • Rejection of homosexuality is frequently based on irrational homophobic prejudice and religious tradition.
  • This does not take into account the happiness and interests of the same sex couples.
  • A society which encourages a wide range of different lifestyles is good because it gives greater scope to express yourself and ultimately create the greatest happiness for the greatest number.