CHAPTER 13 – MORALITY, MARRIAGE, AND HUMAN SEXUALITY
General Overview
The topics in this chapter link up with a host of other ethical issues since sexuality is behind a good deal of
lying, cheating, etc., as well as abortion and numerous other topics. Quite a few of these topics are covered
here and the advantage of this approach is that students will come away with a broader sense of concept in
sexual morality than they might otherwise get from studying pornography or prostitution on their own.
Class Suggestions
Because of the broad range of topics you might assign one topic to, say, groups of 5 or 6 students to report
back to the class on later, perhaps in the form of a group presentation. You might also show a good video or
two on these issues that usually receives a round of applause, primarily from the males. However, the main
point is to provide alternative perspectives and factual information that may enable students to see topics in
new ways. Students are usually keen to discuss these issues and are curious about what their peers think.
This natural interest can be used to generate interesting discussions, projects, essays, etc. The cases in the
textbook are useful and the recent Supreme Court decision on the Texas sodomy law is worth discussion and
analysis. Questions here about “nature,” “natural law,” etc. are paramount, and instructors may want to
begin with an examination of these concepts, perhaps revisiting the “naturalistic fallacy” as well as the
notions of individual freedom.
Chapter Summary
Major Aspects of Human Sexuality
Public aspect – adversely affects others not directly involved. Private aspect – directly affects consenting
adults only.
Meaning and Purposes of Human Sexuality
1. Procreation
2. Pleasure
3. Expression of love
4. Expression of friendship/liking
Moral Issues and the Public Aspect of Human Sexuality
1. Rape, child molestation, and sadism considered harmful to the public and controlled by law.
2. Pornography, homosexuality, sex outside marriage, prostitution, masturbation, nonmonogamous
marriage and “unnatural” or “perverted” sex are all activities considered by some to be against public
interest.
Arguments Against Sexual Freedom
1. Violation of tradition and family values
2. Domino argument
3. Offense to public taste
4. Social diseases and AIDS
Arguments for Sexual Freedom
1. Individual freedom
2. Traditions seen as irrelevant
3. Refutation of the Domino argument
4. Offensive to public taste (don’t do, look, buy, etc. of??)
5. Social diseases and AIDS promote responsibility without restricting choice
Premarital Sex
Arguments Against Premarital Sex
1. The undermining of traditional morality and family values
2. The encouragement of promiscuity
3. Social diseases and AIDS
4. Fostering of guilt and ostracism
5. Having children
6. The compatibility and experience fallacy
Arguments for Premarital Sex
1. The obsolescence of the old traditions
2. Social diseases and AIDS – responsibility without elimination of choice
3. The promiscuity fallacy
4. The guilt and ostracism fallacy
5. Contraception and responsibility
6. Sexual experience and compatibility
7. Sexual pleasure
8. A private, not a public matter
Sex in Marriage-Type Relationships (Including Nonlegal)
Continuous and lasting
Purpose of sex in this relationship
1. Intimate expression of love
2. Procreation
Various Types of Marriage Relationships
1. Monogamy
2. Polygamy
3. Group Marriage
Arguments Against Non-Monogamous Marriages
1. Bible advocates marriage
2. Tradition
3. Exclusivity required by law
4. Social diseases and AIDS eliminated (or greatly reduced)
5. Better for children
Argument for Non-Monogamous Marriage
1. Encourages alternative lifestyles and arrangements where all enter freely and willingly into
Homosexual Marriage – Purpose of Sex as an Expression of Love
Arguments Against Homosexuality:
1. “Unnatural” and “perverse”
2. Against laws of God
3. Sets bad example for children
4. Homosexuals regarded as main cause of AIDS
5. Offensive to “family values”
Arguments for Homosexuality:
1. Non conclusive “proof” of “natural” laws or God’s law
2. Private issue (recent Supreme Court decision striking down Texas sodomy laws)
3. No link between homosexuality and inclination to child abuse
4. Non incompatibility between homosexuality and “family values”
Adultery
Arguments Against Adultery:
1. Violation of most personal and intimate human contract
2. Bad consequences for all affected
Arguments for Adultery:
1. Private sexual freedom
2. Need not be bad consequences if affairs conducted discreetly
Masturbation
Arguments Against Masturbation
1. Religious – abusing oneself
2. Domino argument
Arguments for Masturbation
1. Natural and harmless and safe
Pornography
Arguments Against Pornography
1. Degrading to human beings
2. Criminal – causes harm
3. Degrading to women
4. Encourages “perversions”
Arguments for Pornography
1. Individual discretion
2. No proof of degradation
3. Help to eliminate repression
4. Crimes covered by other laws
5. “Exploitation” is matter of opinion
Prostitution
Arguments Against Prostitution
1. Extramarital and commercialized sex is immoral
2. Causes crime
3. Social diseases and AIDS
Arguments for Prostitution
1. Safe sexual release
2. Victimless crime
3. Social acceptance and governmental control
Sexual Perversion or “Unnatural” Sexual Activity
Conservative view: All bad
Liberal view: Varies, some bad, some okay, so long as consenting adults is okay
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Sexuality
Public
Private
Marriage
Gay Marriage
Group Marriage
Premarital Sex
Monogamy
Polygamy
Homosexuality
Adultery
Masturbation
Pornography
Prostitution
Perversion
Bestiality
Rights
Freedom
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Examine the arguments for and against sexual freedom. State your view and carefully justify it making
reference to the distinction between private and public.
2. Is gay marriage morally acceptable? Why or why not? What moral principles underlie your view?
3. “Pornography is an acceptable practice because it brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.” What kind of
argument is this? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
4. “Prostitution exploits women and children, supports the drug trade, spreads sexual disease, and breaks up
families.” Discuss.
5. Examine the role and function of the concept of “nature” in the morality of sexuality.
TRUE/FALSE
1. The two major aspects of sexuality are public and private.
2. The main argument for sexual freedom is that it feels good.
3. Those opposed to premarital sex say that it encourages promiscuity and the spread of sexual diseases.
4. The main argument against adultery is that it is a violation of traditional family values.
5. Condoning homosexuality is also condoning child abuse.
6. The ancient Hebrews depicted in the Bible practiced polygamy.
7. If you masturbate you will go to Hell.
8. The main argument for the acceptance of pornography is individual sexual freedom and the fact that no
proof exists that it degrades people.
9. The main argument for prostitution is that sex can be enjoyed solely for pleasure.
10. It is far more immoral to kill an animal without its consent and eat it than have sex with it without its
consent and let it live.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
11. The purpose of human sexuality is
a) fun/pleasure.
b) procreation.
c) an expression of love.
d) an expression of friendship.
e) all of the above.
12. The public aspect of sexuality is concerned with those matters that overtly
a) affect nonparticipating others.
b) appear on television.
c) contravene public decency.
d) disturb the majority.
13. The main argument against sexual freedom is that
a) it violates tradition and family values.
b) sex is very bad for you.
c) sex is for procreation only.
d) it’s against God.
14. The approach to marriage that openly accepts “free love” amongst its members is known as
a) monogamy.
b) polygamy.
c) group marriage.
d) homosexual marriage.
e) having your cake and eating it.
15. Monogamy is considered a good form of marriage because
a) the love relationship can become so intimate and involved.
b) the Bible says so.
c) children need one mother and father.
d) human sexuality can be carefully controlled.
16. If adulterers are discreet, avoid breaking up or causing harm to their families and practice safe sex, then
what’s wrong with that?
a) Nothing
b) Adultery always involves deception of some kind
c) Sexual diseases
d) Could lead to “wife swapping” or “swinging”
17. The main “argument” against the morality of homosexuality is
a) it’s unnatural.
b) gays are responsible for the AIDS crisis.
c) the gay lifestyle is offensive to family values.
d) the “Homosexual Agenda.”
18. Pornography creates a lot of pleasure and happiness for a lot of people that far outweighs any unhappiness
that may spin off from it. Who might argue this line?
a) Kantians
b) Calvinists
c) Utilitarians
d) Confucians
19. The main argument for masturbation is that
a) it is perfectly natural.
b) it is very safe.
c) there’s nothing wrong with going “solo.”
d) it’s very private.
20. Why does bestiality present a “special problem” in sexual morality?
a) Because the statistics show a large number of American and Australian men participate.
b) Because it has not been approved by the government.
c) Because it’s against nature.
d) Because it doesn’t involve consenting adults.
Answer Key to Chapter 13 Test Questions
True or False:
Multiple Choice: