In Vincent C. Punzo’s argument about sex and commitment, he states that sexual intercourse before marriage is morally deficient. Using the word, “intimacy” often, Punzo makes a point that men and women engage in many activities and the nature of sexual intercourse is different than other activities that they may participate in with each other. He emotionally appeals to his audience by using a trait instilled in all humans, morality. Through the lens of morality, he confides in his reader that having sex is a complex, honest, long-term commitment that may or may not involve marriage. According the Punzo, the main issue with sexual relations is that society doesn’t think of premarital sex as an activity different from another one. It is known
"Pontifical Council for the Family, The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality." HUMAN SEXUALITY. N.p., 8 Dec. 1995. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Therefore, this clearly demonstrates that marriage is the only ethical desirable context for sex, Kant should start from a better premise than the claims that sexual activities are restricted to marriage. There are two proposed solutions to the problem, the internalist solution and the externalist solution. Furthermore, the internalist resolutions offer advice on the modification of the character of sexual activity so that the individuals engaging in the sexual activity conform to Kant’s Second Formulation. In this case, the internalists restrain their impulses on natural sexual expression.
In my discussion I will be addressing three main issues that concern sexuality. The subjects are prostitution, premature ejaculation, and abortion. Although these topics concern different aspects of sexuality, I still chose to discuss them either because they relate to my sexual experiences, or because I wanted to further educate myself on the subject due to my lack of sexual experience and knowledge in the field.
The Symbolic-Interaction Theory explains how everyone in a society views sexual behavior differently than others. Some cultures are more relaxed than others about sexuality and time also plays a factor in a societies viewpoint. Over a century ago, it was not acceptable to marry a woman who was not considered a virgin, but this did not always apply to males. This slowly changed due to birth control which changed how people viewed sex. Society is more tolerant of sexual activity, but some still consider sex before marriage
Throughout time scientists, philosophers, and laymen alike have discussed questions of the complexity of sex. These questions range from what sex is, to what is a sexual perversion, and far beyond exploring every nook and cranny of the subject. One of the authors that is well know for this type of discussion for idea of how to explain sexual desire is Alan Goldman. During his writing of “Plain Sex”, Goldman tries to define what sexual desire is, what a sexual perversion is, and other claims relating to sexual desire, often shrugging off previously believed theories. His ideas lead away from the idea that sex has a means end and leads to a more primal basis that sex is a desire for physical contact and the need to fulfill this desire for physical contact. In the end I will argue that his definition leaves out our basic cognitive functions and defines humans as to primal form of being. This leads us into his central arguments for why he sees it logically necessary that sex is a need for physical contact and the pleasure that comes from it.
In the article “An Anthropological Look at Human Sexuality” the authors, Patrick Gray and Linda Wolfe speak about how societies look at human sexuality. The core concept of anthology is the idea of culture, the systems of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors people acquire as a member of society. The authors give an in depth analysis on how human sexuality is looked at in all different situations.
Perel explains how the culture we live in now withholds different expectations for love in individualistic societies. (Perel, 0:53) This connects to what we learned in the love chapter. We learned that in western cultures, there is an overall focus on “attraction and matching” and the expectation that they will live “happily ever after” with their partner. (Clark, 2015a) These are the expectations Perel is referring to which individualistic societies now rely on in forming their concept for what love should be like in relationships. These expectations however, may also be impacted by interdependency and our compassion level. For example, comparison level “describes the value of the outcomes that we believe we deserve in our dealings with others.” (Miller, 2012, Interdependency, p.176) Our prior events that we have experienced may serve to explain why individuals have these high expectations, especially since the current culture we live. Perel mentions that couples commonly tend to bring up the fact that they want more sex (Perel, 10:37), which in the sexuality chapter we learned that sexual desire and frequency has different factors that are taken into account. For example, comparison level is overall an important aspect to consider here and rather than “evaluating how often they have sex or the degree to which they disagree about sex,” couples should instead
The ultimate act of consummation between a man and a woman is depicted by Wright as the deepest and most profound expression of pure love that can be mutually partaken in by two fellow human beings. Such an event involves truly uniting the opposite polarities of human existence, male and female, in a selfless act that plays a crucial role in Woman To Man’s underlying interpretation of the human condition. There is an almost animalistic and primal yearning ingrained in the human condition for physical union between a man and woman, as exemplified by the juxtaposed symbolism of the male “hunter” and his prize, the “chase”, that he seeks. Such an attitude towards the physical facets of sexual passion is reinforced by the polysyndeton of “the strength that your arm knows, / the arc of flesh that is my breast, / the precise crystals of our eyes”, highlighting the magnitude of the bodily pleasure derived from this unification. However, there are clearly deeper and more emotionally significant ramifications arising internally, with the combined amorous fervour between male and female capable of producing an even greater gift, that of new life. The result...
Friedman (1995) explains that the men must marry their sexual partner immediately to compensate for the harm they have caused through fornication. In these circumstances where premarital sex occurs, women feel humiliation with the risk of destroyed reputation. However, marriage to the sexual partner can result in restoration of the woman’s righteousness and decency. This is shown between many characters in both plays. By marriage the crime is forgiven and all is well, despite the fact that love or desire may not be
Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics. By Margaret A. Farley. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2006. Xiv + 322 pages. N.P.
Casual sex is very prevalent in today’s society. Raja Halwani writes that for casual sex to be morally permissible it must meet certain conditions. In this essay I will use the writing “Virtue Ethics, Casual Sex, and Objectification” written by Raja Halwani, to prove that most cases of casual sex are not morally permissible.
Soble, A. (2008). The Philosophy of Sex and Love: An Introduction (Paragon Issues in Philosophy) (2 Revised ed.). New York: Paragon House Publishers.
The issues of sexual ethics in relation to morality and perversion have been addressed in depth by each of the gentleman at this table. Sexual activity as described by Solomon and Nagle is comprised of a moral standard and ‘naturalness’ aspect. So, in claiming an act is perverted we must first examine it through a moral framework and understand how this interacts with the ‘naturalness’ of a particular act. Solomon makes the distinction as follows “Perversion is an insidious concept…To describe an activity as perverse is not yet a full blown moral condemnation, for it need not entail that one ought not to indulge in such activities.” Along with the examination of the nature of an act, there must be clear justification as to why sexual acts deserve special separate ethical principles. The question arises: does an act simply due to its sexual nature deserve a separate form of moral inquisition than other acts that occur in nature? In this essay I shall argue that perversion and immorality are not mutually exclusive. By this I mean that a sexual act that is, by my definition, immoral must also be perverted. It is also my contention that if an act is perverted we must also define it as immoral. This second part of the argument is contrary to what many of you have claimed. At the outset of this paper I would also like to state my support of Thomas Nagel’s argument holding that the connection between sex and reproduction has no bearing on sexual perversion. (Nagel 105)
Typically sex is a source of pleasure-- but it is not without its dangers. Discuss some of the ways in which hegemonic constructions of sexuality and expressions of sexual desire can (and does) do harm. Can we reduce or eliminate the harm done? Sex used to be an act only done to reproduce. The act was done typically at night and in private. Sex was not something done for pleasure and it was not talked about in public. (Obtained through discussions in Dr. Steele’s lectures). Throughout the years society has changed its view on sex and where, when it is done and talked about. Sexually related things fill our media and lives almost 100% of the time. In today’s society sex has become something of pleasure when in the past it was not. Even though the sex in something of pleasure it comes with its negative effects that can do harm to someone and or to a group of people. There are so many types of negative effects that sex can bring. The negative effects that sex can bring onto a person or group can be physical and or mental. For instance the idea of “one virginity” has brought a lot of fear or guilt when someone losses their “virginity”. Before virginity was thought of as something sacred. Now that sex is an open topic and people openly talk about it and participate in the act, virginity has lost the idea of being sacred. Even though the loss of ones virginity has become more relaxed that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make some feel the fear or guilt of losing it. When some losses their virginity sometimes they think it was a mistake and sometimes it is taken from them through rape. This brings mental harm to the person(s) and has created this new term “second virginity”. This is where one thinks they can regain their virginity in many way...
Sex before marriage is frequently an unstable subject. In any case, I feel that sex before marriage is a critical subject that is not raised and discussed enough. There are various perspectives conveyed to the table when discussing this specific subject. The principles of society are continually evolving. One indication of this change is that nowadays many young adults seem to be interested in premarital sex. Despite the fact that I have heard numerous great arguments from individuals both pro and against sex before marriage, I have yet to change my stance on this matter. In my opinion, having sexual intercourse before getting married is absolutely a bad tendency in our society however I think it’s still acceptable in society.