A2 Ethics Revision Sexual Ethics

1. A2 Ethics RevisionSexual Ethics 6 lessons left, if that!!!

2. Activate – What you need to know… Define and explain the following: • Trans-sexual, Homosexual, Heterosexual • Queer • Original Sin – Augustine • Celibate • Contractarian • Autonomous • Harm Principle • Civil Partnership • Adultery • Feminism

3. The issues surrounding sexual ethics: • For the exam, you will be expected to focus on the following issues: • Premarital sex • Extramarital sex • Contraception • Homosexuality You will also be expected to apply different approaches of ethical theories to sexual ethics. E.g. Natural Law, Kant, Utilitarianism, Religious Ethics.

4. GUESS WHO?? This is a teleological theory of ethics. It presumes that consensual sex creates much good, and that if harm to another person is avoided, it will provide the greatest happiness for the greatest number This person believed that sex was a necessary evil because he associated sinful lust with intercourse Augustine Utilitarianism This person concluded that the purpose of the sexual organs and sexual activity was procreation, and any other use of sex was intrinsically wrong This theory is agent-centred and not act centred. This approach will focus on enduring values of love and commitment in a sexual relationship. It will discourage harmful traits such as exploitation and selfishness Aquinas Virtue Ethics This person had a deontological approach to ethics. He believed that moral commands were to be based on an objective a priori law of reason called the categorical imperative This person believed that sex is so powerful and meaningful that justice can only be done to it in a continuous and enduring relationship Immanuel Kant Jack Dominian This person argued that each individual situation is different and that absolute rules are too demanding and restrictive Joseph Fletcher

5. Hot Seating Students take the ‘hot-seat’ and answer questions from the class about the unit on Sexual Ethics. Only ‘experts’ should take the hot seat! Remember, the issues relate to Premarital sex, Extramarital sex, contraception and homosexuality! • Sex in the Old Testament (Genesis 2:25, 3:16, the Fall, Original Sin, strictly heterosexual) • New Testament teachings on sex (1 Corinthians 7:8-9, Ephesians 5:31) • The early church on sex (Augustine, Catholicism, Liberal Protestantism, Evangelical Protestantism) • Libertarian views (Contractarian, autonomous, harm principle, feminism) • Applied ethics: Natural Law, Kant, Utilitarianism, Religious Ethics • Critical evaluation

6. Remember when writing exam answers, to produce an excellent answer you need to do the following: • 18-21 marks: an excellent attempt to address the question showing understanding and engagement with the material. Very high level of ability to select and deploy relevant information. Accurate use of technical terms. Communication: answer is well constructed and organised • 12-14 marks: An excellent attempt which uses a range of evidence to sustain an argument. Comprehends the demands of the question. Shows understanding and critical analysis of different viewpoint.s Communication: answer is well constructed and organised

7. Essay plan: • Critically assess the view that Natural Law is of no use when discussing sexual ethics. (35) • AO1 Candidates might begin by explaining the main teachings of Natural Law: purpose, primary and secondary precepts, the deontological nature of Natural Law and its origins in Aristotle. Candidates may explain Natural Law as a basis for Roman Catholic teaching. Although it is important that candidates address their knowledge of Natural Law specifically to the practical ethics issue in the question (i.e Sexual Ethics!). • Candidates are likely to explain the nature of sexual ethics e.g. sex and procreation, sex with marriage and extra martial sex, homosexuality etc. • Given the wording of the question (critically assess), it is likely that good responses will consider other ethical theories such as Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism. Good answers may explain one possible approach of Natural Law that sexual acts may be wrong, even if natural, if they are against right reason, for example rape and incest. • AO2 Candidates should apply Natural Law to sexual ethics and could use examples to explain why Natural Law may not be the best approach because e.g. Natural Law can seem inflexible and out of date. On the other hand candidates could also argue that Natural Law is a useful approach to sexual ethics as it is universal and God-given, with some flexibility in the secondary precepts. • Better answers may consider that non-procreative sexual acts can be seen as natural for human beings, that we may not share a common nature and that there may be a variety of forms of sexual expression.

8. The Debate Game ‘Natural Law is of no use when discussing Sexual Ethics’ RULES: 1.You will be scored on preparation, contribution, and quick thinking 2. Only one person may speak at one time. • 1 Minute on what you think of the title, and why you are correct. (you will be given a view) • 30 seconds on why others are wrong. • Ask a question to each group. (they will have ten seconds to nominate a person and then respond) • You will then have 1 minute to prepare your closing statement.

9. How 2 How to answer an A Level question to get better marks. This will go on to moodle, and the following link is for you to read through in your own time: http://www.rsrevision.com/diagrams/a_level_exams.html