phil week 8
john1183
CommonArgumentsagainstHomosexuality.pptxCommon Arguments against Homosexuality
Homosexual sex is Unnatural.
What is meant by “natural”. Many things we value are “unnatural”; homes, cars, clothing.
Many things we abhor are “natural”; disease, suffering and death.
What is Unusual or Abnormal is Unnatural
One meaning is that which deviates from the norm, or, what is different from what most people do.
Most people engage in heterosexual relationships.
Does it follow then, that homosexuality is wrong because it is different from what most people do?
The Ramsey Colloquium states, “the statistical frequency of an act does not determine its moral status”
3
What is not practiced by other animals is unnatural
Some people argue, “Even animals know better than to behave homosexually; homosexuality must be wrong”
This rests on false premises.
As well, even if animals did not behave homosexually, that fact does not prove the immorality of homosexuality.
Humans do many things animals do not do without moral censure.
What does not proceed from innate desires is unnatural
Recent studies regarding the biological basis of homosexuality have led to the development of two popular positions.
1) homosexual people are ‘born that way’, therefore it is natural (good) to form homosexual relationships
2)It is a lifestyle choice; therefore unnatural (wrong)
Each of these assumes a connection between the origin of homosexuality and its morality.
This is clearly a flawed assumption. This seems to assume that if a tendency is innate (natural) then it is good and right to act upon that desire.
Second, what of the assertion of lifestyle choice?
Do people choose their sexual feelings? It certainly does not seem that way. What is chosen is how and when those feelings are acted upon.
Regardless, the origin of feelings does not determine morality.
What Violates an Organ’s Principal Purpose is unnatural
Homosexuality is immoral because it cannot lead to procreation. Human organs have natural purposes. Violating those is immoral.
This asserts that the only acceptable purpose of the use of sexual organs is procreation. Even the Roman Catholic church has reversed their opinion on this matter.
What is disgusting or offensive is unnatural
Sometimes when people argue that homosexuality is unnatural, they really mean that it is offensive to them.
Plenty of morally neutral activities are disgusting. EX. Eating snails, cleaning toilets, performing autopsies.
This simply expresses an aesthetic judgment, not a moral truth
