Essay
‘All forms of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is harmed’
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This was written in year 13, achieving an A* grade and discussing sexual ethics
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‘All forms of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is harmed’Attitudes towards sexual behaviour are often determined by religious or ethical values. Thus,
it is no surprise that Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Natural Law and Kantian Ethics each
hold differing perspectives on whether sexual behaviour is permissible in the context of
premarital, extramarital of homosexual affairs. Mill’s rule utilitarianism advocates for the harm
principle and liberty principle, both of which greatly corroborate the statement that sexual
behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is harmed. Whilst in theory Mills’ principles
are rational, there are some fundamental flaws within his approach. Therefore, this essay will
endorse Mill’s view to some degree, though amend the statement and rather argue all forms
of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing it produces the most loving outcome.
Moreover, this line of argument will include a variety of scholars to both challenge and
corroborate this stream of thinking.
As aforementioned, Mill advocated the harm principle, that we should be free to strive to
satisfy our individual tastes “so long as what we do does not harm… our fellow creatures”.
The scholar believed that whilst sex without love was a lower pleasure because it doesn’t
help humanity to progress, it would be wrong to prevent people from having premarital sex.
This can be corroborated when Mill writes in On Liberty ‘We shouldn’t attempt to deprive
others of their freedom of choice’ meaning if a person wanted to engage in premarital sex,
they should have the freedom to do so as long as no one is harmed. From the offset, it is
clear that Mill’s harm principle appears strong. In particular, it is useful when making
decisions about premarital sex because it allows consenting adults to do whatever they
please as long as no one is harmed. By consequence, this rules out exploitative forms of
premarital sex, giving strength to his principle and simultaneously corroborating the
statement that all forms of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is harmed.
On the topic of homosexuality, however, Mill’s harm principle is less convincing. Thomas
Schmidt elucidates how certain homosexual practices are dangerous because of the health
risks involved in terms of the spread of STD’s, more explicitly, AIDS. In effect, Schmidt is
appealing to Mill’s harm principle in terms of the physical risks that are involved within
homosexual activity. Whilst the scholar is correct to assert the risks involved with
homosexual activity, the spread of STD’s and AIDS are arguably no more of a ‘gay plague’
than they are heterosexual diseases, especially when factors such as sex with prostitutes
and unprotected sex are considered in relation to AIDS. Moreover Schmidt also fails to
acknowledge that there are far fewer health risks involved in a homosexual relationship
between two women, less so than in a heterosexual relationship. Thus it is more than clear
through Schmidt’s application of the Mill’s harm principle to homosexuality that fundamental
flaws start to emerge and thus his principle cannot be used to convincingly endorse the view
that all forms of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is harmed. Very well
argued
Mill’s liberty principle and his harm principle are inextricably linked; both greatly corroborate
the statement that all forms of sexual behaviour should be tolerated providing no one is
harmed. Liberty can be defined in two ways: negative liberty and positive liberty. Mill’s
position is largely a defence based on negative liberty, which is the least interference of the
state or anyone else to restrict individual behaviour. Mill supports negative liberty, especially
when it comes to different sexual practices on the basis that a variety of lifestyles enhances
the richness and enjoyment of society. Moreover, for Mill, liberty allows individuals to ‘flourish
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