To What Extent Are Ethical Theories Helpful When Considering the Issues Surrounding Homosexualit
To what extent are ethical theories helpful when considering the issues surrounding homosexuality?
Many ethical theories can be used to discuss and interpret the issues surrounding homosexuality. I shall begin by outlining some relevant views, from the perspective of Virtue, Utilitarianism, Natural Law, Christian Ethics and Kant
Christian Ethics can be separated into difference sections as there does not appear to be one single Christian view on homosexuality . At a glance, many Christians interpret passages in the Bible as condemning homosexuality and something that people should be cured of. The Protestant approach is ‘to love the sinner and hate the sin’ which would mean that the practice of homosexual acts is wrong, but homosexuals themselves ought to be loved.
The Roman Catholic approach teaches similarly- there is nothing wrong with being homosexual, but a homosexual act is a sin. They would say then that a homosexual must commit themselves to celibacy, a view influenced by Paul. There are more liberal approaches within Christianity where homosexuality is not an issue, as long as the relationship is stable and committed; the same as a heterosexual relationship. This view is also founded on Bible teachings- if God created man in his image and God is perfect, then all people are good because God made them either straight or gay.
Aquinas’ Natural Law states that the purpose of sex is purely procreation and as homosexuality can never result in a child, it defies Natural Law and must be wrong. The primary precept of ‘Continuation of the species through reproduction’ is also violated by the concept of homosexuality for the same reason. It also involves sex outside of marriage which Aquinas also: Aquinas, the behind natural law also condemned homosexuality as ‘unnatural’, so natural Law clearly has very strong views against homosexuality.
Utilitarianism would currently view all sexualities as viable as it is likely there are more gay people than people who
Many ethical theories can be used to discuss and interpret the issues surrounding homosexuality. I shall begin by outlining some relevant views, from the perspective of Virtue, Utilitarianism, Natural Law, Christian Ethics and Kant
Christian Ethics can be separated into difference sections as there does not appear to be one single Christian view on homosexuality . At a glance, many Christians interpret passages in the Bible as condemning homosexuality and something that people should be cured of. The Protestant approach is ‘to love the sinner and hate the sin’ which would mean that the practice of homosexual acts is wrong, but homosexuals themselves ought to be loved.
The Roman Catholic approach teaches similarly- there is nothing wrong with being homosexual, but a homosexual act is a sin. They would say then that a homosexual must commit themselves to celibacy, a view influenced by Paul. There are more liberal approaches within Christianity where homosexuality is not an issue, as long as the relationship is stable and committed; the same as a heterosexual relationship. This view is also founded on Bible teachings- if God created man in his image and God is perfect, then all people are good because God made them either straight or gay.
Aquinas’ Natural Law states that the purpose of sex is purely procreation and as homosexuality can never result in a child, it defies Natural Law and must be wrong. The primary precept of ‘Continuation of the species through reproduction’ is also violated by the concept of homosexuality for the same reason. It also involves sex outside of marriage which Aquinas also: Aquinas, the behind natural law also condemned homosexuality as ‘unnatural’, so natural Law clearly has very strong views against homosexuality.
Utilitarianism would currently view all sexualities as viable as it is likely there are more gay people than people who