1. Sexual Morality

2. The Traditional View of Sexual Morality
All sex outside marriage is wrong
View that everything in nature has a purpose, derived from Aristotle and Aquinas
The purpose of human beings is to engage in fully human love, which must accompany sex and be conducted within marriage

3. The Libertarian View of Sexual Morality
Sex is an activity like any other
Standards for morality are no different from other activities
Defense of sexual libertarianism: why shouldn’t sex be treated like any other activity?

4. Issues to consider in this debate
Venereal diseases and AIDS?
Threats to the family?
Personal fulfillment?
Naturalness?

5. “Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics” The Vatican
Teachings rely on natural law, which provides objective standards for how people should behave
Values are innate in human nature
Human reason and divine revelation are used to recognize and develop these values
Values are immutable and do not change
Immoral: premarital sex, having children outside of marriage, homosexual acts, masturbation

6. “Sexual Morality and the Concept of Using Another Person” Thomas A
“Sexual Morality and the Concept of Using Another Person” Thomas A. Mappes
Sexual morality analyzed in terms of Kant’s principle that persons should be respected as ends in themselves.
“Voluntary informed consent” identifies when people are not being used merely as a means
Consent requirement violated when there is deception or dishonesty in relationships

7. “Should a Feminist Choose a Marriage-Like Relationship” Marjorie Weinzweig
Paradox
Feminist goal of autonomous self-development conflicts with the structure and context of marriage-like relationships
Development of autonomous individuality is best promoted by living in a committed relationship
Three stages of self-development:
Inauthenticity
Autonomous being oneself
Autonomous being with others

8. “The Case for Lesbian and Gay Marriage” Richard D. Mohr
Traditional definitions of “marriage” could accommodate same-sex couples
Progress toward justice for all should now include marriage for same-sex couples
Same-sex marriages promote further improvement in society’s understanding of marriage in general