Unit 8 Key Concepts in Sexual Ethics and Theology

Abortifacient

Chemicals or devices that inhibit a fertilized egg (zygote) from attaching to the lining of the uterus, or which cause the zygote to detach, thereby terminating it.

Agape

Selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. The highest form of love.

Artificial Insemination

Procedure that introduces sperm into the uterus in hopes of increasing chances of conception.

Complementarity

Existence of mutually beneficial characteristics between male and female persons.

Conception

Union of sperm and egg that creates a new human life.

Conjugal act

The sexual act proper to sacramental marriage (sex).

Contraception

Various procedures or chemicals that prevent pregnancy which would result from sexual intercourse.

Embryo

Unborn child in the first several weeks of life.

Eros

Greek word for passionate love with desire; frequently associated with romantic love. Needs to be purified with agape.

In vitro fertilization

Fertility technique of fertilizing a woman's egg with a man's sperm in the laboratory and then implanting the fertilized egg in the woman's uterus.

Marital Act

The sexual act proper to sacramental marriage (sex).

Natural Family Planning

NFP; Church-approved methods by which a couple may regulate conception by studying the signs of the woman's cycle of fertility; differs from contraception in regard to the moral object, although the intention may be similar (though not identical).

Philia

Greek word for the love of friendship.

Sexual intercourse

The sexual act proper to sacramental marriage (sex).

Sterilization

Destruction of fertility by surgical or chemical procedures affecting the reproductive organs.

Surrogacy

Arrangement whereby one woman carries a child to term for another woman/couple; usually also requires artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Theology of the Body

Teaching of St. Pope John Paul II that the human person is an integrated whole, and that the human body 'shows us the call and gives us the means to love in the image of God.' It 'encourages a true reverence for the gift of our sexuality and challenges us to live it in a way worthy of our great dignity as human persons.'