Essay on sexual morality

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definition however does not imply any moral judgment like it seems to be the case until now.

Graham Priest states in his attempt to define sexual perversion that there is no correlation between the misuse of something and a moral condemnation; he gives the example of the nose initially and biologically existing to let the human breathe, but also used to support glasses. Moreover he comes back to the sexual perversion being, by the latter definition, a sexual act that does not fulfil its natural function, which fits the Procreation Theory. Priest argues that this is way too inclusive and does not make sense in present societies. Plus, he questions this ‘function’ of sex, and points out an unusual and rarely stated role of sex: “An important role of sex might be to help people to live together and cooperate” (p.364). This is way too farfetched in my opinion. Sexual activity definitely has, like I maintained earlier, a biological aim: the reproduction of a species. Numerous human beings choose or are not able to perform any form of genital intercourse, nevertheless do not lack any social skills. Take for example celibacy or vows of chastity (voluntary choice) or people being physically unable to have any sexual relations (involuntary choice). It is therefore unrealistic to claim that sex might have a greater importance in the well-being of an individual in society; it might certainly contribute to a satisfying romantic life, but does not play a role in social integrity. In conclusion, Priest overcomes Goldman’s lack of consideration of the term ‘perversion’ but does not get to the point of its application on sexual activity.

Up to now, my understanding of a sexual perversion has been influenced by both authors, yet I do not agree with both. I do agree with the idea that sex should provide pleasure to all actors involved, but the categorisation as perversion does not depend on it, as it does not depend on consent or apparent ‘misuse of sex’. Priest affirms that sexual perversion is a (negative) moral concept, while Goldman excludes any moral consideration.

I can say that someone makes a perverted use of the laws and everyone could agree with me, since laws are factually correct; it can be proven. Same for a person disturbed by the perversion of words: their original meaning are factual and can be verified. Now there is problematic: saying that someone is sexually perverted is reliable only for the person who says it. It depends on his personal idea of an acceptable sexual activity and his preferences. Thus it is a subjective judgment. Every individuals’ morals are developed in his early years, thus by social interaction in a society; they are not objective as everyone can choose to deny what he has been told. So, in my opinion, calling something perverted does involve a moral judgment. (1650 words)

References:

Priest, G. ‘Sexual Perversion’ (1997) Australasian Journal of Philosophy. 75(3)

Chapter 6 of Igor Primoratz (1999) Ethics and Sex. Routledge: Oxon

Goldman, A.H. ‘Plain Sex’, Philosophy and Public Affairs (1977), 6 (3),

The Oxford English Dictionary: http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/141678?redirectedFrom=perversion&

Notes:

The ‘means-end analysis’ of sexual activity gives the latter a goal, “whether it be reproduction, the expression of love, simple communication, or interpersonal awareness. [Philosophical writings] analyse sexual activity as a means to one of these ends, implying that sexual desire is a desire to reproduce, to love or to be loved, or communicate with other.”(Goldman: ‘Plain Sex’, Philosophy and Public Affairs (1977), 6 (3), p.268)

Attached Documents:

- Priest, G. ‘Sexual Perversion’ (1997) Australasian Journal of Philosophy. 75(3), p.361

- The Oxford English Dictionary: ‘perversion, n.’

1. a. The action of perverting or condition of being perverted; the action of turning aside from what is true or right; the diversion of something from its original and proper course, state, or meaning; corruption, distortion; (Theol.) change from Christian belief or truthfulness to non-Christian belief or falsity (opposed to conversion: see conversion n. 8); apostasy. Also: an instance of perversion; a perverted or corrupted form of something.

b. Sexual behaviour or preference that is different from the norm; spec. that which is considered to be unacceptable or socially threatening, or to constitute a mental illness; an instance of this.From the late 19th cent. until the mid 20th cent., medical and mental health professionals treated homosexuality, along with a number of other sexual tendencies, as a psychological problem. Homosexuality per se was removed from the standard mental health diagnosis manual in the United Kingdom in 1973, and the use of the term perversion to refer to homosexuality is now considered highly offensive.

2. Med. An alteration of a physiological function such that it becomes abnormal in kind rather than in degree; (also) distortion of a body part.

3. Geom. The formation of the mirror image of a figure or object; the image itself. Cf. enantiomorph n. Now