PHM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Be able to describe the relationship between the natural and the
moral (Aquinas). Correct Answers • On the one hand, Aquinas
follows Aristotle in thinking that an act is good or bad
depending on whether it contributes to or deters us from our
proper human end. On the one hand, Aquinas follows Aristotle
in thinking that an act is good or bad depending on whether it
contributes to or deters us from our proper human end.
• On Aquinas's view, a law is "a rule or measure of human acts,
whereby a person is induced to act or is restrained from acting".
Natural law is but an extension of the eternal law. For by it God
ordains us to final happiness by implanting in us both a general
knowledge of and inclination for goodness. Note here that the
natural law is not an external source of authority. Nor is it a
general deontic norm from which more specific precepts are
inferred.
Be able to distinguish between the natural law view of sex
(Aquinas) from the psychological view (Nagel). For each of
these views, you should be able to give concrete examples of
sexual acts that would be considered perverse and explain why
these acts are perverse according to these accounts. Correct
Answers • Aquinas: Aquinas concludes that what is natural in
human sexuality is the impulse to engage in heterosexual sex.
Heterosexual sex is the mechanism designed by the Christian
God to insure the preservation of animal species, including
humans, and hence engaging in this activity is the primary
natural expression of human sexual nature. Sexual intercourse
with lower animals (bestiality), sexual activity with members of
, one's own sex (homosexuality), and masturbation, for Aquinas,
are unnatural sexual acts and are immoral exactly for that
reason.
• Nagel: argues that to discover what is distinctive about the
natural human sexuality, and hence derivatively what is
unnatural or perverted, we should focus, instead, on what
humans and lower animals do not have in common. Thus Nagel
argues that sexual perversion in humans should be understood as
a psychological phenomenon rather than, as in Aquinas's
treatment, in anatomical and physiological terms. Perverted
sexual encounters or events would be those in which this mutual
recognition of arousal is absent, and in which a person remains
fully a subject of the sexual experience or fully an object.
Be able to explain and identify examples of metaphysical sexual
optimism. Correct Answers • Ellis, Russell, Freud normal
dimension of person with animal like creatures (like eating).
Evolution wise, must be helpful to our survival. Good since it
brings us high/exhilarating happiness. -ex: not objectifying,
natural bonding. Pleasing the self and another=deepen
relationships, more satisfying and substantial. Sexual pleasure
should be promoted and cherished, intrinsic value. Part of good
and virtuous life.
Be able to explain and identify examples of metaphysical sexual
pessimism Correct Answers • Freud, St. Augstine, kant believe
acting on sexual impulse is unbefitting of dignity for human
being. Sexual drive not incompatible with logn term aspirations
and goals. Too powerful and demanding. Sexuality is a threat to
other relationships. Object of appetite/degradation. Deception
through concealment of actual looks, personality or beliefs. Loss
SOLUTIONS
Be able to describe the relationship between the natural and the
moral (Aquinas). Correct Answers • On the one hand, Aquinas
follows Aristotle in thinking that an act is good or bad
depending on whether it contributes to or deters us from our
proper human end. On the one hand, Aquinas follows Aristotle
in thinking that an act is good or bad depending on whether it
contributes to or deters us from our proper human end.
• On Aquinas's view, a law is "a rule or measure of human acts,
whereby a person is induced to act or is restrained from acting".
Natural law is but an extension of the eternal law. For by it God
ordains us to final happiness by implanting in us both a general
knowledge of and inclination for goodness. Note here that the
natural law is not an external source of authority. Nor is it a
general deontic norm from which more specific precepts are
inferred.
Be able to distinguish between the natural law view of sex
(Aquinas) from the psychological view (Nagel). For each of
these views, you should be able to give concrete examples of
sexual acts that would be considered perverse and explain why
these acts are perverse according to these accounts. Correct
Answers • Aquinas: Aquinas concludes that what is natural in
human sexuality is the impulse to engage in heterosexual sex.
Heterosexual sex is the mechanism designed by the Christian
God to insure the preservation of animal species, including
humans, and hence engaging in this activity is the primary
natural expression of human sexual nature. Sexual intercourse
with lower animals (bestiality), sexual activity with members of
, one's own sex (homosexuality), and masturbation, for Aquinas,
are unnatural sexual acts and are immoral exactly for that
reason.
• Nagel: argues that to discover what is distinctive about the
natural human sexuality, and hence derivatively what is
unnatural or perverted, we should focus, instead, on what
humans and lower animals do not have in common. Thus Nagel
argues that sexual perversion in humans should be understood as
a psychological phenomenon rather than, as in Aquinas's
treatment, in anatomical and physiological terms. Perverted
sexual encounters or events would be those in which this mutual
recognition of arousal is absent, and in which a person remains
fully a subject of the sexual experience or fully an object.
Be able to explain and identify examples of metaphysical sexual
optimism. Correct Answers • Ellis, Russell, Freud normal
dimension of person with animal like creatures (like eating).
Evolution wise, must be helpful to our survival. Good since it
brings us high/exhilarating happiness. -ex: not objectifying,
natural bonding. Pleasing the self and another=deepen
relationships, more satisfying and substantial. Sexual pleasure
should be promoted and cherished, intrinsic value. Part of good
and virtuous life.
Be able to explain and identify examples of metaphysical sexual
pessimism Correct Answers • Freud, St. Augstine, kant believe
acting on sexual impulse is unbefitting of dignity for human
being. Sexual drive not incompatible with logn term aspirations
and goals. Too powerful and demanding. Sexuality is a threat to
other relationships. Object of appetite/degradation. Deception
through concealment of actual looks, personality or beliefs. Loss
