Sexual Ethics

R.F.

Sexual Ethics

Study of moral issues in sex, relationships, and marriage, using religious and philosophical perspectives.

Deontological Approaches

 focus on the action itself being right or wrong, not the outcome.

Natural Moral Law (Aquinas)

Sex has a God-given purpose (telos), mainly procreation; wrong if it blocks this purpose.

Teleological Approaches

 about the purpose or goal of something + focus on outcomes

Utilitarianism (Bentham/Mill)

Sexual acts judged by the happiness, harm, or wellbeing they produce.

Contraception (Church of England)

Initially banned; Lambeth Council (1930) supported it to reduce poverty; today left to personal conscience.

Contraception (Orthodox)

Opposed until 1970s; now allowed in marriage if not abortifacient.

Contraception (Roman Catholic)

Sex primarily for procreation; contraception = immoral; sex also strengthens marital unity; Humanae Vitae (1968) reaffirmed ban.

Expressive Sexual Ethics

Liberal Christian view: sex expresses love, commitment, intimacy; not restricted to marriage.

NML & Contraception

Goes against Preservation of Life and Reproduction; creates physical barrier = unnatural.

Virtue Ethics on Sex (Aristotle)

Sex is good if it contributes to flourishing (eudaimonia), stable relationships, self-control, and responsibility.

Hans Küng Critique

Church inconsistent; rhythm method prevents conception like contraception but is allowed.

Utilitarianism & Contraception

Focuses on women’s rights, wellbeing, autonomy; prevents poverty, crime, unwanted pregnancies.

Utilitarianism & Contraception

Focuses on women’s rights, wellbeing, autonomy; prevents poverty, crime, unwanted pregnancies.

Annie Besant

Social reformer; advocated contraception to reduce poverty and improve society; influenced Mill.

Homosexuality (Catholic)

Homosexual acts condemned; homosexuals treated with respect.

Homosexuality (Evangelical)

Often seen as sin; some support harmful “conversion therapy.”

Homosexuality (Liberal Christian)

Focus on love and quality of relationship; sex = expression of love.

Jack Dominian

Catholic psychiatrist; sex = gift from God, non-traditional sex & homosexual marriage acceptable.

Peter Vardy

Modern/utilitarian approach; sex should be loving, meaningful, avoid harm.

Adultery

Sex with someone who isn’t your marriage partner; condemned for breaking trust and loyalty.

Church of England & Premarital Sex

Allows cohabitation & sex before marriage as a step toward marriage.

Liberal Protestants & Premarital Sex

Accept sex in loving relationships, even outside marriage.

Historical Greek Views on Sex

Sex weakens the mind; Pythagoreans advocated restraint; Plato: self-control needed to master desires.

Pornography

Traditional Christian view = harmful; modern scholars: ethical if consensual, non-exploitative.

Sex Work

Church condemns; secular ethics: acceptable if safe, consensual, regulated; unethical if exploitative.

IVF / Artificial Reproduction

Catholic = wrong (sex & reproduction must unite); Liberal = moral if creates loving family.

Kantian Ethics on Sex

Sex often objectifies; only acceptable with equal partnership, respect, consent, within marriage.

St Augustine on Sex

Necessary for procreation; pleasure = sinful; acceptable only in marriage

Aquinas on Sex

Purpose = procreation; sex only in marriage, open to children; explained in Summa Theologiae.

Wrong Sexual Acts

Immoral if against natural purpose of sex, e.g., rape.

OT Teachings on Sex

Sex created by God; purpose = procreation; wrong if misused, e.g., adultery.

NT Teachings on Sex

Jesus: avoid misuse of sex, faithfulness; Paul: abstain if possible, marriage only if needed; women obey men (patriarchal).

Premarital Sex

Sex between consenting adults outside marriage; accepted by liberal Christians, rejected by conservative traditions.

Homosexual Relationships

Sex between same-sex partners; Catholics oppose, Evangelicals condemn, Liberals affirm loving, committed relationships.

Contraception

Any method preventing conception; ethical debate: reproduction vs choice vs wellbeing.