Consenting Adults, Sex, and Natural Law Theory

Philosophia 44 (2):1-21 (2016)
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Abstract

This paper argues for the superiority of natural law theory over consent -based approaches to sexual morality. I begin by criticizing the “consenting adults” sexual ethic that is dominant in contemporary Western culture. I then argue that natural law theory provides a better account of sexual morality. In particular, I will defend the “perverted faculty argument”, according to which it is immoral to use one’s bodily faculties contrary to their proper end.

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Tim Hsiao
University of Arkansas Grantham

Citations of this work

Prostitution and the Good of Sex.Sascha Settegast - 2018 - Social Theory and Practice 44 (3):377-403.
Sex, Consent, and Moral Obligations.Konstantin Morozov - 2023 - Problems of Ethics 12:27-47.

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References found in this work

Principles of biomedical ethics.Tom L. Beauchamp - 1979 - New York: Oxford University Press. Edited by James F. Childress.
Warrant and proper function.Alvin Plantinga - 1993 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Natural law and natural rights.John Finnis - 1979 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Natural Law and Natural Rights.John Finnis - 1979 - New York: Oxford University Press UK.

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