100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Previously searched by you
Previously searched by you
logo
Evaluate the claim that natural law should be consulted when dealing with issues in sexual ethics(40). £3.49
Add to cart
Quickly navigate to
Preview
  2.  
  3. OCR
  4.  
  5. Religious Studies
  6.  
  7. Sexual ethics

Exam (elaborations)

Evaluate the claim that natural law should be consulted when dealing with issues in sexual ethics(40).
 0 purchase
  • Institution
  • OCR

This document includes OCR A Level Religious Studies - Sexual ethics Essay. This is an example of an essay that could potentially come up. Some of the essays include summaries. I am an A* student and these essays are all at an A-A* standard. If you need further help, please contact me and I will be...

[Show more]

Preview 1 out of 2  pages

Document information

  • August 17, 2022
  • 2
  • 2022/2023
  • Exam (elaborations)
  • Questions & answers

Subjects

Connected book

book image

Book Title:

Author(s):

  • Edition:
  • ISBN:
  • Edition:

More summaries for

All for this textbook (51)

Written for

All documents for this subject (4)

Seller

avatar-seller
kadjis

Reviews received

Content preview

Evaluate the claim that natural law should be consulted when dealing with issues in sexual
ethics(40) - Came up in the mock exam and got 36/40 15/16 in AO1 21/24 in AO3 = A*

Sexual ethics is an immensely controversial topic and consequently, there is a multitude of
personal moral issues and debates surrounding it. Social norms and laws about these questions
have changed considerably especially in western countries in recent decades. Natural law
proposed by St Thomas Aquinas is a teleological theory that looks to God and the world for
answers. Aquinas, influenced by Cicero and Aristotle, the founder of natural law, argued that we
all have a desire to do good and avoid evil and that we should fulfil our purpose to reach
eudaimonia. In regards to sexual ethics, natural law should be consulted as it produces more
harm for individuals.

Natural law presents a harmful approach to sexual ethics as it demeans people and the value of
their relationship. Aquinas unconvincingly argued that homosexuality was wrong and that it ‘is
intrinsically disorded’. Those who engage in homosexual behaviours have not used their reason
correctly to interpret the natural law but have instead chosen to follow the apparent good.
Following the primary precepts of reproduction, homosexuality would be considered wrong and
unnatural as homosexual sex does not allow for people to be fruitful and grow. Yet as
convincingly argued by Stephen Fry natural law promotes views that lead to the ‘stigmatisation
and victimisation’ that leads to playground bullying and statistics which show that the LGBTQ+
community is twice as more likely to contemplate suicide. Therefore, natural law should not be
consulted in matters of sexual ethics as it promotes views that are harmful to the LGBTQ+
community.

Additionally, natural law is restrictive and prevents people from exercising their autonomy.
Aquinas unconvincingly argued that sexual relations outside marriage(pre-marital sex) is wrong
and should not be the focus of relationships as we need to follow the primary precepts of living
in an ordered society. Yet in our secular society, marriage no longer holds the same value as it
did during Aquinas's time. Sex is no longer seen as just for reproduction since science shows
that our reproductive organs are also for pleasure. By consulting natural law on matters of
sexual ethics we prevent autonomy and we prevent people from acting freely and doing things
that cause no harm to anyone. Therefore, Instead of consulting natural law, J.S Mill's rule
utilitarianism should be consulted. Mill proposed the harm principle- people should be free to do
what they wish as long as their actions do not cause harm to anyone. Mills presents a
convincing approach as he grants people autonomy and emphasises that people should be free
to do whatever they want as long as it does not cause harm. He allows people to be happy and
allows the individuals to be in charge of the happiness in their life. Therefore, natural law should
not be consulted in matters concerning sexual ethics as it restricts autonomy, unlike rule
utilitarianism.

Furthermore, natural law in its absolutist ways fails to acknowledge the harmful results that can
occur from always following the primary precepts. The primary precepts are essential in the
functioning of society. According to Aquinas, we should use our reason and follow primary
precepts and the secondary precepts which follow on from the primary precepts. The primary

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kadjis. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for £3.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

69988 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 15 years now

Start selling
£3.49
  • (0)
Add to cart
Added