1. A2 Ethics
Sexual ethics

2. This week’s aims
To apply Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Natural Law, Religious ethics, Virtue ethics and Conscience to the issues in:
Sexual ethics
To decide which theory has the best approach to sex and relationships

3. What is sexual ethics? Pre-marital and extramarital sex Contraception
Is it permissible to have sex before marriage?
Is it permissible to have an affair when you’re already married?
Contraception
Should sex always be open to the possibility of children?
Homosexuality
Is it permissible for two people of the same gender to have sex with each other?
Should sex always be an expression of love, or is it acceptable to have sex purely for pleasure?

4. Pre-marital sex
Why might some people argue that sex before marriage is wrong?
Natural Law
Kant
Utilitarianism
Religious Ethics
Virtue ethics
Conscience

5. Extramarital sex
Is it always wrong for someone who is married to have an affair?
Natural Law
Kant
Utilitarianism
Religious Ethics
Virtue ethics
Conscience

6. Contraception Why might someone argue that contraception is wrong?
Natural Law
Kant
Utilitarianism
Religious Ethics
Virtue ethics
Conscience

7. Past exam questions
Critically assess the view that Natural Law is the most reliable approach to use when discussing issues relating to pre-marital sex.
Critically assess the view that Utilitarianism is of no use when making decisions about sexual ethics
To what extent is Virtue Ethics helpful when making ethical decisions about extramarital sex?
‘For moral issues surrounding sex the demands of conscience override other ethical considerations.’ Discuss.

8. Applying Kant to sexual ethics
Kant says that we should act as if we were a law-making member of a Kingdom of Ends. What would this suggest about the morality of having sex before marriage?
Kant says that humans are free and autonomous; he says that we are ends in ourselves and have intrinsic value. What would this suggest about the morality of homosexual sex?
Kant argues that the only thing that is good in itself is a good will and that we should always fulfil our duties. What would this suggest about the morality of divorce?
Kant says that we are all ends in ourselves. What would this suggest about the morality of prostitution?
Kant says that we should only do something if we are willing for everyone else to do it too. What would this suggest about the morality of contraception?

9. Religious Ethics Is the bible against homosexuality? Leviticus 20:13:
‘If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them.’
Fish out of water DVD

10. Applying the theories to sex and relationships
Choose one theory:
Natural Law
Kantian Ethics
Utilitarianism
Religious Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Conscience
What does it say about:
Pre-marital sex?
Extramarital sex?
Contraception?
Homosexuality?
Booklets, p.49-53

11. Rank the theories
Which theory has the best approach to sex and relationships? Why have you picked this one?
Which theory has the least helpful approach to sex and relationships? Why have you picked this one?

12. Past exam questions, p.81 Natural Law Kantian Ethics
Utilitarian Ethics
Religious Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Conscience
Environment
Jan 2011
June 2015
June 2012
Jan 2010
June 2011, June 2013
Business
Jan 2011,
Jan 2013, June 2015
June 2010, June 2014
June 2013
Sex
Jan 2010, June 2010
June 2014
Jan 2013
June 2011
Jan 2012

13. Possible questions for the exam
‘Natural Law is a helpful approach to business ethics.’ Discuss.
To what extent is Kant’s categorical imperative a useful way to make decisions about sexual ethics?
To what extent is Utilitarianism helpful when considering ethical business practice?
Critically assess the view that Virtue Ethics is of no use when making moral decisions about the environment.
To what extent is conscience a useful guide when making decisions about business and the environment?

14. ‘Natural Law is a helpful approach to business ethics.’ Discuss
Introduction:
Key point from a relevant philosopher / theory
Arguments for this view
Arguments against this view
Your analysis: which side of the argument is more convincing?
Conclusion:

15. To what extent is Kant’s categorical imperative a useful way to make decisions about sexual ethics?
Introduction:
Key point from a relevant philosopher / theory
Arguments for this view
Arguments against this view
Your analysis: which side of the argument is more convincing?
Conclusion:

16. To what extent is Utilitarianism helpful when considering ethical business practice?
Introduction:
Key point from a relevant philosopher / theory
Arguments for this view
Arguments against this view
Your analysis: which side of the argument is more convincing?
Conclusion:

17. Critically assess the view that Virtue Ethics is of no use when making moral decisions about the environment.
Introduction:
Key point from a relevant philosopher / theory
Arguments for this view
Arguments against this view
Your analysis: which side of the argument is more convincing?
Conclusion:

18. To what extent is conscience a useful guide when making decisions about business and the environment?
Introduction:
Key point from a relevant philosopher / theory
Arguments for this view
Arguments against this view
Your analysis: which side of the argument is more convincing?
Conclusion: