Back to PHl204 Table of ContentSexual EthicsThree determinants of sexual behavior1. The biological- Reproduction- Pleasure- Hormones2. The psychological: Reflection and manifestation3. The socialSexual standards1. The legalistic approach2. Tile permissive approachComponents of sexual standard1. The acceptance of sexual realities2. The enhancement of sexuality3. The integrity of sexuality4. The relation between sex and marriage5. The relation of sex to loveHomosexualityInitial considerations 1. Definition2. Statistic numbers3. Whether homosexuality as an illness 4. Reasons of homosexuality 5. Freedom for a homosexual life styleMoral judgements 1. The negative judgments- Homosexuality is unnatural;- Homosexuality is repugnant - Homosexuality is abomination of God's low- Homosexuality is a threat to the young2. The positive judgments- Homosexuality is natural- Homosexuality is not repugnant- Homosexuality is a normal life styleExtramarital SexInitial considerations1. Definition2. The reasons- Length of separation;- Debilitating illness- Lack of interest- Sexual malfunctionMoral judgments1. The negative judgments- Violates the contract- Injures the partner psychologically- Remains a mockery to the traditional concept of marriage2. The positive judgments- Private life style- Sexual freedom- Sexual pleasure in human natureAbortionA Historical review1. The positive attitudes of hellenism2. The negative attitudes of medieval church 3. The modern arguments4. Legitimization of abortionRoe v Wade: Supreme Court's decision1. The major grounds for the Court's decision- Social changes- The concept of privacy- Human rights- Determination of the meaning of the term "person" in relation to the abortion controversy2. Four decisions according to three "trimesters" of pregnant3. Seven attempts to circumvent the Court's actionBiological backgroundThe development of the human fetus1. Developmental timetableSpermatozoon--Zygote--Blastocyst--Embryo--Fetus--Quickening--viabi1ity2. Miscarriages3. Forms of abortion- Spontaneous abortion (anytime)- Drug such as "morning-after pill"- Uterine or vacuum aspiration (through week 12)- Dilation and curettage (through week 12)- Saline injection (after week 16)- Hysterotomy (after week 16)Two status of the fetus1. The ontological statusIt bears directly on the issue of fetal rights and permissible treatment of the fetus Four questions: (1) whether the' fetus is an individual organism(2) whether the fetus is biologically a human being(3) whether the fetus is psychologically a human being; (4) whether the fetus is personThe meaning of the expression human life: (1) the biological(2) the psychologicalThe concept of' "personhood"Three positions on when extreme conservative; (1) The extreme conservative(2) The extreme liberal(3) The moderate 2. The moral statusThe basic moral problem of abortion is: Under what condition is abortion morally justifiable?The negative judgments - As murder- Sets a dangerous precedent- Involves psychological risks for woman- Ignores the responsibility for woman's sexual activityThe positive judgments - Dangerous pregnancies;- Unwanted or deformed unborn- Some Pregnancies resulted from rape or incest- Woman's rights over their bodiesPremarital SexInitial considerations1. Definition2. The reasonsMoral judgementsThe negative judgments - Violates God's law- Undermines marriage- Results bastards- Encourages promiscuityThe positive judgments - Private matter- Celibacy as unnatural and unfair- Sexual compatibilityPornographyConceptualization1. The literal: Obscenity2. The legal: Four basic characteristics by Supreme Court3. The religious4. The psychologicalMoral judgements1. The negative judgements- Degrades humans- Separates sexual passion from affection and love2. The positive judgements- A useful source of information about human sexuality - Morally naturalTwo conflict arguments on censorship1. The negative arguments2. The positive