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sex & ethical theory

sex & ethical theory. NLaw / U-ism / Kant / SEthics / VEthics as applied to sex & sexuality See Oliphant, pp.259ff. Natural Law & Sex. PURPOSE of sexual organs = reproduction (they’re called the reproductive organs!) PROCREATION

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sex & ethical theory

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  1. sex & ethical theory NLaw / U-ism / Kant / SEthics / VEthics as applied to sex & sexuality See Oliphant, pp.259ff

  2. Natural Law & Sex • PURPOSE of sexual organs = reproduction (they’re called the reproductive organs!) • PROCREATION • PROPORTIONALISM? Can there be proportionate reasons to accept: • contraception? • homosexuality? • What is the purpose of sex? Can unitive aspect of sex exist independently of the procreative? (NO in traditional RC ethics)

  3. Kantian Ethics & sex • UNIVERSALISATION rules out many sexual aspects of sex; eg everybody cannot always be homosexual; everyone cannot always use contraception • MEANS & ENDSrules out sex for pleasure alone – one person would be using the other’s body as a means to achieve pleasure; “as an object of appetite for another all motives of a moral relationship cease to function” This might also question masturbation (using self as a means to an end) • “taken by itself, sexual love is a degradation of human nature” except within... • MARRIAGE – within marriage, sex could be universalised (all married people have a duty to have sex with their partner) and neither party is abusing the other as it is based on trust and consent • CONTRACTUAL APPROACH- if both parties are in agreement sex is acceptable, if it does not go against the categorical imperative. [Some suggest that this might legitimatise prostitution, IF both parties consent (although it might reasonably be argued that the prostitute is being used as a means of pleasure and the client as a means of money.] Pornography wrong as no contract between the parties

  4. Utilitarianism & sex • Greatest pleasure for the greatest number (NB Hedonic Utilitarianism) • Contractual agreement (free will + consent) • Harm principle (anything is OK between consenting adults as long as it causes no harm to anyone): problems – pleasure & pain? STIs? psychological harm? • Quality of pleasures (Mill): sexual pleasure would be seen as a very basic pleasure • Libertarian - emphasising freedom (liberty a higher order pleasure)

  5. Situation Ethics & sex • AGAPE love NOT EROS love • Casual sex probably wrong (whatever the situation) as it is based on wrong kind of love (if it is ‘love’ at all; could be lust?) • Teleological • Relative to the situation (although obligation is absolute in the situation) • PRAGMATISM, PERSONALISM, SITUATIONALISM, POSITIVISM

  6. Virtue Ethics & sex • Agent centred: how could a person develop virtuously through sex? • Possible virtues: love, friendship, trust, companionship, faithfulness, commitment. All these could be developed through sex. • Michael Slote & ethics of care: intimate care & humanitarian care & self-care (those near to us) (care for ppl in general)

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