Sexual ethics
Sigmund Freud argues that human sexuality is the defining feature of our
personalities
There are many moral issues and debates surrounding sexual ethics
The extent to which sex should be connected to marriage – what are the ethical
issues raised by sex before or outside of marriage? Should sexual relationships be
formally recognised by a public, legal marriage? Are sexual relationships a matter of
law, of social norm, or personal preference?
Are the only moral sexual relationships heterosexual relationships – Are
homosexual sexual relationships as moral as heterosexual relationships?
Social norms and laws have changed in Western countries recently – radical shifts in
public attitudes to what is acceptable, and through changes in law. In the UK,
cohabitation and having children outside of marriage is no longer stigmatised and
civil partnerships and same-sex marriages are now legal
Women in the past:
‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife…or anything else that belongs to your
neighbour’ – possession
Society was patriarchal
Genesis 2 – Eve created as a helper/companion for Adam. Companion suggests more
equality however was the same word as spouse – at the time, still meant helper
Women created differently, out of man’s rib. Does God breathe life into her?
However, it is believed that when God created ‘man’ from the dust, he created a
genderless being which he then made into two separate beings – only then did they
become male and female. Become ‘one flesh’ like they once were through marriage
and sexual intercourse – similar to the Greek idea – humans were once one being,
separated into male and female, search for the other to complete them
Eve seen as inferior – first to sin. Rather than suggesting Eve is weak for giving into
temptation, Adam comes off badly. Eve is tempted by the serpent – Devil, wise,
powerful. Have more sympathy for Eve being tricked by the Devil because the Devil
is superior. Adam was tricked by his wife – less sympathy for him
Sexual punishment ‘Your desire will be for your husband’
St.Paul ‘ I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must
be silent’. ‘Wives submit to your husbands’
Sigmund Freud argues that human sexuality is the defining feature of our
personalities
There are many moral issues and debates surrounding sexual ethics
The extent to which sex should be connected to marriage – what are the ethical
issues raised by sex before or outside of marriage? Should sexual relationships be
formally recognised by a public, legal marriage? Are sexual relationships a matter of
law, of social norm, or personal preference?
Are the only moral sexual relationships heterosexual relationships – Are
homosexual sexual relationships as moral as heterosexual relationships?
Social norms and laws have changed in Western countries recently – radical shifts in
public attitudes to what is acceptable, and through changes in law. In the UK,
cohabitation and having children outside of marriage is no longer stigmatised and
civil partnerships and same-sex marriages are now legal
Women in the past:
‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife…or anything else that belongs to your
neighbour’ – possession
Society was patriarchal
Genesis 2 – Eve created as a helper/companion for Adam. Companion suggests more
equality however was the same word as spouse – at the time, still meant helper
Women created differently, out of man’s rib. Does God breathe life into her?
However, it is believed that when God created ‘man’ from the dust, he created a
genderless being which he then made into two separate beings – only then did they
become male and female. Become ‘one flesh’ like they once were through marriage
and sexual intercourse – similar to the Greek idea – humans were once one being,
separated into male and female, search for the other to complete them
Eve seen as inferior – first to sin. Rather than suggesting Eve is weak for giving into
temptation, Adam comes off badly. Eve is tempted by the serpent – Devil, wise,
powerful. Have more sympathy for Eve being tricked by the Devil because the Devil
is superior. Adam was tricked by his wife – less sympathy for him
Sexual punishment ‘Your desire will be for your husband’
St.Paul ‘ I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must
be silent’. ‘Wives submit to your husbands’
