natural law Essay
Natural laws are those laws that are set by nature as opposed to man-made ones. Natural Law refers to moral laws or principals that stipulate how individuals should behave. It also indicates that moral laws have a source and authority that distinguishes them from the civil laws in any society. (Timmons, MT. pg 66) homosexual sex offends natural laws because it is considered an action that is always morally wrong to perform. This is because it is not sex for procreation and doesn’t produce anything. Procreation is the caring and rearing for children, as well as being morally required to raise them.(pg 72) It is considered an intrinsically good entity along with knowledge, sociability, and life so seeing as homosexual sex cannot result in procreation, it is morally wrong. The natural law argument can argue that homosexual sex is morally wrong for many reasons. The strongest way of arguing it is by using the argument of Moral Absolutism. Moral Absolutism explains why homosexual sex is morally wrong because it absolutely disallows actions that do not follow moral rules and describes how some certain acts are always considered morally wrong.(pg 80) Moral Absolutism highlights the importance of avoiding wrong acts rather than promoting good ones. It is more important to not partake in immoral acts than partake in moral ones. These moral rules are exceptionless and some of these acts include killing innocent human beings, lying, adultery and homosexuality (pg 80).
The Essay on Torture: a moral wrong and a moral duty
Since Aristotle argues that some feelings such as “malice, shamelessness and envy” or actions such as “adultery, theft and murder” are evil by their very nature (1107a9-18), we can also assume that torture in his view is evil in itself as well. The philosopher provides two important considerations leading to a conclusion that he considers torture as an absolute moral wrong. First and foremost, ...
There are always small exceptions or loopholes in cases like these, for example, unintentionally killing a human being does not violate moral absolutism even though killing another human being is considered morally wrong. But in the case of homosexual sex there is no way to prove that it could be morally right. Even though performing homosexual sex would bring a good result to the peoples involved, it is an act that is supposed to be avoided and actions such as these are morally wrong to perform under any circumstance. There are no exceptions in Moral Absolutism. Another strong argument against the participation in homosexual sex is the Rationality and Rights Conduct. This conduct clearly dictates that life, procreation, knowledge and sociability are things to be preserved and promoted, never hindered (pg 72).
These are four main parts that make up the good in humans. If one of these four basic human goods is violated, the natural law theory states that the action is morally wrong. Procreation is the meaning of life which involves having, rearing and caring for children. “Actions that are necessary or otherwise crucial for having and providing for children are morally required.” (pg 72) It is evident that homosexual sex is morally wrong according to the natural law theory, but many people feel like its morally wrong either way. This could be because throughout history, the norm was for a man and woman to get married, and only have sex to have a baby.
According to Finnis, the basic human goods are self evident in the sense that anyone with satisfactory development could understand the simple concept involved when saying life, knowledge, sociability and procreation are intrinsically good. (pg 96) This is of course Finnis’s reading of Aquinas, but it is very self explanatory that he as well agrees that everyone should understand the notion that homosexual sex does not fall into a moral category. Most of Aquinas’ work was strongly influenced by Aristotle and Aquinas and Aristotle shared the same conception of the connection between human nature and the good in relation to humans that is a natural starting point in coming to the understanding of moral theories.(pg 68) Aquinas states that acting morally and doing the right thing is a matter of acting rationally, and so moral principles of right action represents basic requirement of practical rationality(pg 67).
The Term Paper on Various Law Natural Person
Charta Magna: agreement between king John and his barons laying down mutual rights and obligations as well as the position of the lower nobility and the church. (1215) Habeas Corpus: is an important remedy against unlawful commitment. (1679) Bill of rights: protects statements in either house of parliament granting parliament itself the power to fine or imprison those who abuse this privilege. It ...
In the case of homosexual sex, how to act morally right and rationally would be to not do it at all. This draws the natural law theory in especially because he talks about the requirements of practical rationality.
I believe that the natural law argument is very convincing because it is clearly stated multiple times that homosexual sex violates natural law. Homosexual sex goes against everything in nature and there is not one part in either argument mentioned that it is ok or acceptable even sometimes to participate in homosexual sex. It is an act that does not support the four basic human goods, with the main one being that homosexuality cannot support procreation. It followed every aspect of Moral Absolutism and the Rationality and Rights Conduct so realistically the natural law argument has many strong points as to why it is morally wrong. The stigma with having homosexual sex will always be there as well. With all this said, my person opinion is that homosexual sex is not wrong. I believe you should love who you want to love, and sex is part of love. I believe you are born and certain way and cannot change that even if you try. Homosexuals have endured a lot of criticism from the public when they should not have had to. Even though it goes against nature according to these theories, there is no reason why a homosexual couple should not be able to consummate their love for each other even with no way of procreation. Many homosexual couples adopt and raise children which caring for them and raising them constitutes as morally right. I strongly believe that all laws against homosexual marriage and sex should not be in effect and pro-choice is always the answer.
In relating to natural law, homosexual sex does offend natural law and should not be an action even considered in a homosexual couple. It breaks the rules in both Moral Absolutism and in Rationality Rights and Conduct. Homosexual sex does offend natural law as it breaks the main rule of not producing anything. Even though I do believe in pro-choice, according to the natural law theory it can not and should not ever happen. Homosexual sex is morally wrong when looked at through the Natural Law Theory.
The Research paper on Ethics, Euthanasia and Canadian Law. Utilitarianism Theory, Morality
Utilitarianism Theory Introduction v. Latimer Summary The case study is about Mr. Latimer and the actions he did in the name of ending the pain and torture that Tracy, his twelve-year daughter, was going through. Tracy suffered from Cerebral Palsy; it was due to this that Tracy was quadriplegic. She was not able to do anything on her own and therefore used to rely on other people for ...
Bibliography
1. Timmons, Mark. Moral Theory. An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002. 65-103. Print.
