Kantian Ethics Approach

What are Kant's view on sex?

- It is "degradation of human nature"

- Sex out of a sense of duty or lust fails to treat either partner with respect

What is lust (according to Kant)?

- It is instinctive

- Draws on our animal nature

- Uses others as a means to an end (not an end in themself)

What would lust be controlled by?

Reason + our noumenal self (the self as it is in itself, free

What are the conditions for sexual relations?

- Must be freely given

- Not done out of lust or duty

- Absolutely equal + mutually consenting

- Marriage: must be compassionate + not merely for sex

Is sex in marriage acceptable to Kant and why?

- Sees marriage as contractual + should be entered into freely + be based on consent + equality

- Sex within marriage is about union + sexual enjoyment (not just procreation)

- In this context sexual relationships can develop character (through contact) -> expressing unconditional love, trust, promise keeping (categorical imperatives)

When is sex morally permissible?

If consummated with total + voluntary consent (no force)

Why is sex in minors wrong?

Do not truly have free will

Why would exploitative, abusive or objectifying relationship (e.g prostitution, casual cohabitation) be unacceptable?

Goes against the means-end condition + disrespects a person's dignity (+ cohabitation is a lack of commitment)

Why else might Kant disagree with pre/extramarital sex?

Viewed as acting on desires (not rational moral principles) -> compromises one's autonomy + rational decision making

Why would adultery/extra-marital sex be wrong?

- Cannot be universalised as the institution of marriage/social norms would break down (society would be worse for this) -> leads to contradiction

- Breaks promise on infidelity -> failure to uphold moral obligations

Why is procreation not necessary to make sex virtuous?

Would be using others as a means to an end + universalising a duty to procreate doesn't seem rational in an overpopulated world

Why would adultery be wrong?

A "lying promise" cannot be universalised without contradiction -> "seeks to withdraw from a primal duty"

Why would underage sex be wrong?

Not universalisable because of the consequences (likelihood of abuse, lack of consent etc)

Why was Kant against homosexuality?

- Non-procreative relationships can't be universalised

- Falls into the same category as premarital sex as it lacks commitment (if not in a marriage from procreation then it is objectification)

- Lacks mutual commitment

- Species would die out + homosexuals are conceived in heterosexual relationships

- "Demeans man below the beast"

How could a modern Kantian argue for homosexuality?

- Universalise "everyone should follow their own sexual orientation"

- All non-marital + homosexual relationships (which are free, consensual, equal + not based on lust) are valid

- Allows them to increase individual freedom/autonomy + promotes relationships unconstrained by authority

What are the strengths of a kantian ethical approach to sexual ethics?

- Promotes respect for other people's dignity, equality + consent -> emphasises the importance of equality + not treating others as a tool for pleasure

- Vardy -> sexual relations always recognise other person as free + never means to an end

- Recognises sexual relations should be free -> protects against abusive + objectifying sex

- Protects the young + vulnerable

- Ensures social + legal rules take account of human freedom + dignity

- Adaptable/flexible -> promotes general principles + doesn't prescribe specific rules

- Conservative-> to preserve human dignity there should be certain restrictions on sex

What are the weaknesses of a kantian ethical approach to sexual ethics?

- Too rational + ignores importance of emotions within relationships/human nature

- Something not being universalised doesn't make it wrong

- Ignores consequences -> history shows that repression of people’s sexual freedom causes unnecessary unhappiness and prevents potential happiness

- Monolithic + dehumanising (separating meanings of sex + homosexuality from humanity)

- Heavily tied to institution of marriage -> doesn't reflect contemporary views on diverse relationships