Sexual Ethics from a Virtue Ethics Perspective

1. Sexual Ethics from a Virtue Ethics Perspective Applied to issues of: Adultery: sex outside Marriage. Polygamy. Contraception. Homosexuality.

2. What is Virtue Ethics and Sexual Ethics? Virtue Ethics is concerned with the agent becoming a virtuous person through practising morally good behaviour. This is achieved by copying from a role model. Sexual Ethics deals with issues arising from sexuality and human sexual behaviour. Whilst also relating to the community and personal desires such as fornication i.e. sex before marriage; Adultery i.e. sex outside marriage; polygamy; contraception and Homosexuality.

3. Sexual Ethics from a Virtue Ethics Perspective. In relation to sexual ethics, Virtue Ethics would seek to find out how a person can develop virtuously through sex. Virtue ethics does not provide a method for knowing what to do, except to be a virtuous person by developing into the type of person they ought to be. Main issues in Virtue Ethics include the ideas of love, friendship, companionship, faithfulness, commitment and trust.

4. What would a virtuous person say about polygamy? A virtuous person would say Polygamy is right if the person loves all the women within the relationship because this would be one being a virtuous person and doing a virtuous act. From a virtue ethics perspective towards issues of sex and relationships, it is more likely to be tolerant towards sexual activities such as Polygamy and Homosexuality. This is because Virtue Ethics does not focus on what the right or wrong action in a situation might be, but focuses on the moral development of a person through their actions. Therefore by developing sexual intimacy and investing in another person, a person is becoming more virtuous, by being generous with a gift of oneself rather than using a partner as a means of sexual gratification, which could be seen as virtuous.

5. What would a virtuous person say about Homosexuality? The Virtue theory focuses on ones telos, purpose and how we should act to be useful and potent in society. When considering the issue of homosexuality this links in with the Natural Law theory because both theories focus on the telos of human beings. For example, if a person is gay or lesbian, they will not have children naturally, taking this into account, it seems that both theories would prefer it for relationships between two men or two women to be allowed as this way the couples can play a role in society, which is structured and allows for order in society and is similar to straight couples.

6. Virtue Ethics applied to Adultery A virtuous person would say that Adultery is wrong because he or she is not being faithful to their partner within the relationship. This therefore brings about less trust and love. Therefore a person who commits adultery is not being a virtuous person. Virtue ethics aims to shape what one desires as well as what one does, it presumes there is a right and wrong in sexual conduct. Whilst maintaining a 3 way balance of intimate care, humanitarian care and self care is of importance to allow justice, fairness and to treat each person with dignity.

7. What would a virtuous person say about contraception? A virtuous person would say contraception is right if both people in the relationship love one another. However if ones religion is against contraception then it is wrong because you are being disobedient. Virtue ethics allows people to make decisions based upon our virtues that are fully morally correct. This encourages people to focus on the practical reasoning and wisdom given by the virtues to know what we ought to be doing. Furthermore, Virtue ethics also implies tolerance towards others approaches to sexual ethics. Whilst considering what kind of sexual practices would make a person more virtuous.