Question 1

Why are homosexual relationships good for society, on Corvino's account?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are homosexual relationships good for society,...

Question 2

According to Corvino, if homosexual sex is wrong because it violates an organ's principal purpose, then

Accepted Answer

Corvino's argument is based on the idea that sexual activity should only take place for the purpose of procreation. If this is the case, then any sexual activity that does not have the possibility of leading to procreation would be considered immoral. This includes heterosexual sex with the use of contraception, masturbation, and sexual activity between sterile people. Therefore, all of the above choices are considered immoral according to Corvino's argument.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a sense of the word "unnatural" that Corvino considers?

Accepted Answer

Corvino discusses the sense of "unnatural" as referring to things that are not practiced by other animals (A), not proceeding from innate desires (B), and being unusual or abnormal (D). However, he does not consider the sense of "unnatural" as being contrary to the laws of physics (C).

Question 4

Explain some of the different things someone might mean by saying that a particular behavior is "unnatural." Is homosexual sex "unnatural," by these conditions? If so, does this give us reason to think that it is morally wrong? Why or why not?

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Question 5

Explain the case of Tommy and Jim. Why does Corvino think that Tommy and Jim should have sex? Do you think his reasons are good ones? Defend your answer.

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Question 6

What is a slippery slope argument? How are slippery slope arguments used in the debate about the morality of homosexual sex? Can slippery slope arguments ever be good arguments? Are there viable slippery slope arguments against homosexual sex?

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The answer of What is a slippery slope argument? How...

Question 7

West challenges the idea that sex acts are only morally problematic when they are

Accepted Answer

In West's view, sex acts are only morally problematic when they are coercive, meaning that one person is using force or manipulation to get another person to engage in sexual activity against their will. While risky or dangerous sex acts and non-monogamous relationships may have other ethical concerns, they are not inherently immoral according to West's perspective. Additionally, the concept of "unnatural" sexual acts is subjective and culturally influenced, and thus not a reliable basis for determining moral permissibility.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the view of consensual heterosexual acts West defends?

Accepted Answer

West argues that even within consensual contexts, heterosexual acts can perpetuate harm to women, often through reinforcing systemic inequalities or through the nuances of what is considered "consent" in a society structured by patriarchal norms.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reason West gives for why a woman might consent to sex she does not desire?

Accepted Answer

West argues that women might consent to sex they do not desire for reasons related to economic dependence, social conditioning, or perceived obligations, but does not specifically mention intoxication or compromised decision-making as a reason for consent in this context.

Question 10

How does engaging in unpleasurable, undesired consensual sex injure a woman's sense of selfhood according to West?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in unpleasurable, undesired consensual sex can injure a woman's sense of selfhood by injuring her capacity for self-assertion, self-possession, and autonomy. The woman may feel as though she is not in control of the situation and her body, which can impact her self-esteem and sense of agency. Additionally, the experience can undermine her ability to trust her own desires and instincts, which can further damage her sense of self.

Question 11

According to West, when women consent to undesired sex because of their dependency upon a partner's affection or economic status, they injure their sense of

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions freely without external influence or coercion. When a woman consents to undesired sex because of her dependency on her partner, she is not exercising her autonomy and is allowing external factors to influence her decision-making. This can lead to a sense of loss of control and autonomy, which can be damaging to her sense of self.

Question 12

To the extent that a woman falsely claims to have enjoyed unpleasurable and undesired sexual acts, she does considerable damage to her sense of

Accepted Answer

Integrity refers to being honest and truthful with oneself and others. If a woman falsely claims to have enjoyed unpleasurable and undesired sexual acts, she is not being honest with herself or her partner, and is therefore damaging her integrity. This can also have a negative impact on her self-esteem and sense of worth.

Question 13

According to West, why do the harms of consensual sex frequently go unnoticed or underacknowledged?

Accepted Answer

West argues that the harms of consensual sex often go unnoticed or underacknowledged due to multiple factors, including the emphasis on liberal theory and ideology in academic life, the influence of the exchange theory of value in legal-academic discourse, and the cultural tendency to assume that if something is legal, it must be harmless.

Question 14

According to West, what is the radical feminist view of sex?

Accepted Answer

The radical feminist view of sex, as interpreted by some, encompasses the ideas that all sex is non-consensual, all sex is rape, and all non-consensual sex is morally problematic. This perspective is often associated with the more extreme positions within radical feminist thought, particularly the work of scholars like Andrea Dworkin and Catherine MacKinnon, who have critiqued the structures of power that underlie sexual relations.

Question 15

According to West, what do liberal and radical feminism have in common?

Accepted Answer

West argues that both liberal and radical feminism share the belief that whatever is non-coercive is morally non-problematic.

Question 16

West argues that liberal feminism undermines the effort to articulate the harms of consensual sex by

Accepted Answer

West argues that liberal feminism undermines the effort to articulate the harms of consensual sex by indirectly celebrating the value of consensual sex.

Question 17

West claims that consensual sex is, in many cases, harmful to women. How does West argue for this claim? Is her argument compelling? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of West claims that consensual sex is, in...

Question 18

West claims that women who engage in undesired, unpleasurable sex may sustain injuries to their sense of selfhood. How does West support this claim? Do you find West's position convincing? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of West claims that women who engage in...

Question 19

West criticizes both liberal and radical feminism. What is the basis of her criticism? Is this criticism compelling in your view? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of West criticizes both liberal and radical feminism....

Question 20

According to _______, it is only a minor wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading them about certain personal features such as hair color, occupation, or romantic intentions.

Accepted Answer

The Lenient Thesis argues that it is only a minor wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading them about certain personal features such as hair color, occupation, or romantic intentions.

Quiz 23: Sexual Morality