PHIL 103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Sexual Ethics, Premarital Sex, Non-Penetrative Sex
Document Summary
According to conventional sexual morality, sex is morally legitimate only within the bounds of marriage; non-marital sex is immoral. Non-marital sex is applicable to any sexual relation other than that between marriage partners. The convention that sex is permissible only within the bounds of marriage is solidly based on considerations of social utility. Sometimes argued that stable family units are not really so essential. Argued that the availability of non-marital sex does not undercut family life. (whereas adultery might very well undermine a marital relationship, it is argued premarital sex can prepare one for marriage. ) Another defense is the use of natural law theory (thomas aquinas) According to aquinas, procreation is the natural purpose or end of sexual activity. If sex should only be used for procreation, and procreation should only be used during marriage, sex should only be marital. Any sex that cuts off the possibility of procreation is contrary to nature" .
