same sex marriage

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Same sex Marriage

Tara Thompson

PHI 208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning

Prof. Jean Suplizio

June 7, 2021

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Same Sex Marriage

Part 1: Ethical Question

Is it Moral for legal marriage to be available to couples of the same sex?

Part 2: Introduction

The normal cultures conceive of same sex marriages between a man and a woman; being

a husband and wife. Marriage is an institution o f interpersonal relationships between

two people that are ultimately sexual. While examining the theory of same sex

marriages, there’s a gap between cultures due to religious beliefs, is it moral for legal

marriages to be made available to couples of the same sex ? As humans will all are

protected by the first amendment; freedom of speech, and we all have the moral right to

give of ourselves equally.

Part 3: Explanation of the Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism think the correct choice brings about the greatest benefit and least

harm. Miller states the fact that utilitarian would favor same sex marriage because it’s a

“benefit” for same sex couples to be able to marry and it would outweigh any “indirect

harm”.

Part 4: Application of the Ethical Theory

When comparing deontology and Kant’s theory, it mirrors the same conclusion as

utilitarianism. The key component of deontology is “universalizability”, current marriage

laws are not “universalizable” for all people, they are wrong for some; therefore, making

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same sex marriage morally correct. Moral judgement should be equal for same sex

couples, Kantian principle is if an action cannot be universally adopted it shouldn’t be

morally allowed.

When examining Kant’s views, it defends same-sex marriage on moral grounds.

Kant rules out marriage when the partners cannot give of themselves equally, free from

inequality. Kant views same-sex marriage would be considered moral between two equal

individuals that would allow homosexuals should be legalized. Kant theory found that

homosexual unions were morally equivalent to heterosexual unions because those unions

have the same rights equally.

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References

Altman, M. (1970, January 01). Matthew C. ALTMAN, Kant on sex AND marriage: The implications for the same-sex marriage debate - PhilPapers. Retrieved June 08, 2021, from https://philpapers.org/rec/ALTKOS

Langrell, P. (2015, April 28). Is ethics wedded to same-sex marriage? Retrieved June 08, 2021, from https://www.abc.net.au/religion/is-ethics-wedded-to-same-sex-

marriage/10098352