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A* Summary Notes of Sex Ethics Applied to Normative Ethics
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Application to Sexual Ethics:Kantian Ethics:
A supreme principle of ethics which could be applied to all people at all times – the categorical imperative. We all deserve respect.
People are different to animal because we have reason. Lust dishonours reason. Kant argued that we should not be sidetracked by
feeling and emotion. Sex is ok in marriage as long as people are not used. However, life is complex and duties may conflict.
- Freedom so con sent is a priority
- Consensual promises
- Always considering value and worth of the people involved
- Dignity
- Equality and equal rights
For: Against:
- Duty to be faithful (promotes consistency) - Over simplified
- Promotes positive relationships - Can’t be universalised as everyone has different views
- Values respect and protection - Unemotional
- Gives some lee way - Too idealistic (too much emphasis on reason)
- Simplified - Is Kant too remote for this area?
- Sexual relations always recognise other person as free
never means to an end
Natural Law:
Aquinas believes that human nature had a purpose/telos; good acts developed your human nature while bad acts acted against your
human nature. Aquinas concluded that the purpose of sex was procreation and any other use was wrong. Sexual activity should only
be done in marriage and should be open to procreation. Sex is wrong when the nature is incomparable with the purpose
(procreation):
a. Masturbation
b. Homosexuality
c. Contraception
Kinsey report shocked Americans and challenged the views over what was ‘natural’. Aquinas felt all things were created for a
purpose. Sex had 3 purposes:
1. Procreation )
2. Pleasure ) these had to be balance
3. Bind together )
This contrasts with Augustine who thought sexual pleasure was sinful. For Aquinas, sexual pleasure is a sacred gift. To be good sexual
pleasure needs ethical boundaries. Pleasure of sex is in harmony with reason.
Sometimes the way that the teachings and laws can be interpreted may change the conclusions draw. For example, extramarital sex
could be moral as a way resolving infertility such as in the bible when Abraham sired a child with his servant because his wife was
infertile.
For: Against:
- Universal - Product of its time
- Some flexibility in the secondary precepts - Doesn’t fit with modern society views
- Positive purpose of ethics is to achieve eudiamonia - Without contraception, there are harmful
- Pleasure is one of the purposes of sex, no it as negative consequences
as many ancient thinkers - Homosexuality seen as a defect rather than natural
- Faithfulness in marriage
Situation Ethics:
It recognises that, whilst rules can exist they are not deontological or immovable as 'love is the only norm (rule)' and is good in itself.
In other words whilst rules can be broken in certain circumstances to do the most loving thing, the will to do the most loving thing
cannot be.
When considering homosexuality, situation ethics also provides a satisfactory answer as, for example, although it may be held that
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