PHL 212 Quiz #2 Study Guide
Chapter 3: Sexual Morality
The traditional view- All sex outside of marriage is wrong and many sex acts are forbidden even in
marriage which must be between a man and a woman
Natural law theory- sex organs are designed by God with a specific purpose Telos: procreation. To
use an organ in a manner that violates its god-given purpose is unnatural and immoral.
Reductio of natural law- Reductio #1: Circus performers walk on their hands. Is this an unnatural
offense against god? Reductio #2: A mouth has many purposes; why can’t sex organs?
Libertarian view
oSex is like any other private activity: it is permissible so long as it does not involve
dishonesty, exploitation, or coercion and does not violate obligations to others.
oChildren cannot to sex because they are not sexually, emotionally, or intellectually mature.
oSame sex marriage and other “deviant” sex practices typically don’t hurt anyone, and thus
should not be banned.
oEven affairs are permissible, provided a couple mutually agrees.
Pragmatic analysis of risks and benefits- Any time you engage in an activity, you should analyze the risks
and benefits to yourself and others. The benefits of sex are obvious. The risks of sex are threefold: STD’s,
Unwanted Pregnancy, Social/Legal complications
Roger Scruton:
oThe goal (telos) of sex- erotic love
oSex and the doctrine of the mean
oVirtues and vices
Benefits: mutual self enhancement, sense of irreplaceable value, and consciousness of full reality of
personal existence
Virtuous sex involves habits (virtues) that promote this goal.
Habits
Lust can easily become a habit. Casual sex can completely replace meaningful sexual relationships.
Pornography and prostitution can distract from erotic love and ultimately replace real relationships.
Prostitution and Pornography commodify sex, stripping it (no pun intended) of its real purpose.
Violent pornography can encourage real-world violence against women.
Alan Goldman: “Plain Sex”
Problems with means-end analyses-
1. Reproduction: The desire for sex is not necessarily a desire to reproduce.
2. Love: Love can be expressed without sex, and people can have enjoyable sex without loving
each other.
3. Communication: Though sex can be used to communicate, one can have sex without
communication and communicate without sex.
Sexual morality and “perversion” ----Sex is not goal-directed; it is simply pleasurable.
1. Sex is a moral activity, but one that can be evaluated according to standard ethical
theories such as deontology.
2. Perversion is merely a deviation from social norms, and not morally wrong unless it
violates a moral principle.
Lawrence v Texas-about gay marriage pg.120-122
Michael Levin-
oEvolutionary argument- Homosexuality involves the misuse of bodily parts.
The erect penis fits the vagina better than any other orifice because its purpose is to
deliver sperm.
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