Sexual ethics- the theory
- Created by: Bethan Hyde
- Created on: 04-04-14 10:10
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- Sexual ethics
- Historical views of sex
- Greek philosophers- Sex weakens the mind
- Pythagorean-- humans should refrain from physical activities and live more in the pursuit of contemplative ideas
- Dualist-plato- living a more Ascetic (contemplative ideas) gives the soul which is imprisoned in the body, the freedom to move to a new form
- Cynics-- no point in controlling sexual desire- no shame in the act- went as far as doing it public
- Stoics- reacted to cynics wanted people to overcome their emotions with self-control-- sex was only linked to reproduction
- Old Testament
- Not one particular view of sex
- Genesis 1 and 2-- sex is created by God and meant for procreation-- sex is not seen as wrong but good- however it should not be practised in sinful ways.
- Sexual involvement with non-Israelites was forbidden-- it could lead away from God. (1 Kings 11 : 1-13)
- Adultery forbidden (10 commandments)
- Women should be virgins on marriage
- New Testament
- Jesus said little about sex - he ;leaves the issue open.
- His teachings about marriage and divorce are not clear-- 'whoever divorces his wife an marries another commits adultery against her' (Mark 10:11)
- St Paul
- Much of Pauls writitngs are affected by the return of \christ and the end of the world (rapture) therefore Paul beleived there was no point in giving a detailed opinion of sex becuase these relationships would soon end.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - Christians should not let their bodily emotions control them--- 'Do you know your bodies are members of Christ?'
- Marriage was forbidden but considered only for those who have no self control
- Feminism-- 'there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus' ( Galatians 3:28)
- Augustine
- sex is necessary for procreation- contrasting to the Greeks and Paul
- Sex is to be restricted for marriage
- The devil uses women to lead men away from reason, and pleasure in sex leads men away from reason to.
- Problem and solution of sex-- creation and the fall-- Adam and eve must have been created for procreation they would not have needed to procreate before the fall, or would have not experienced desire or pleasure.
- God knew Eve would take the forbidden fruit and prepared for the consequences- sexual desire is a constant reminder of man rebellion against God (original sin)
- Chastity was ideal but sex was allowed within marriage and so long as it wasn't enjoyed
- Pelagius-- sexual desire can be controlled by self-will.
- Aquinas
- Opinion of sex is based on natural law
- Purpose of sexual organs and activity was procreation, any other use of sex was intrinsically wrong.
- Sex for Aquinas was to take place within marriage and must be open to the possibility of procreation -- Roman Catholics
- Historical views of sex
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