Deck 8: Consent Is Not Enough

Question 1

David McPherson says that one of the problems with the liberal sexual ethic is that it can't make sense of what is so wrong about sexual violence. Defenders of the liberal sexual ethic would probably disagree. In your essay, describe what a defender of the liberal sexual ethic would say about McPherson's claim. What can the consent-only model of sexual ethics offer in terms of an explanation for the serious wrong of sexual violence?

Answer 1

Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal, consent-only model of sexual ethics.
Apply the liberal sexual ethic to the issue of sexual violence, forwarding a thesis that explains the grave nature of this wrong from this perspective.

Question 2

David McPherson argues that "when sex is 'cheap' and widely available, sexual partners often become seen as easily 'discardable,' and this leaves people feeling ... that they themselves have been treated as 'cheap.'" Do you agree that casual sex leads to people feeling devalued or cheap? If so, do you think that this is necessarily a part of casual sex, or are there ways of having casual sex that don't make people feel this way? If you disagree with McPherson, explain why, also explaining what people may experience from having casual sex. For example, lots of people claim that casual sex is empowering, which makes McPherson sound wrong.

Answer 2

Demonstrate an understanding of McPherson's critique of the liberal sexual ethic as it pertains to the treatment of persons as discardable.
Either defend a thesis that casual sex leads to the devaluation of human persons, as McPherson describes, and that this devaluation is either bound up with the practice of having casual sex or that it is possible for casual sex not to yield this outcome.
Or, argue that casual sex does not lead to the devaluation of human persons, and explain what this practice does yield for the participants in this activity.

Question 3

David McPherson argues that objectification is a part of casual sex and that this is a bad thing. In your essay, discuss what we should say about the ethics of objectification. Is objectification ever okay? If so, why and when? Even if objectification is okay at times, is it appropriate in the context of sexual relationships? Be sure to include McPherson's examples of objectifying behavior in your discussion.

Answer 3

Either defend the thesis that objectification is never permissible.
Or, defend the thesis that there are contexts where objectification is morally permissible; then, consider whether sexual relationships are one of those contexts where objectification is morally permissible.
Include examples from McPherson's discussion on objectification.

Question 4

Why is the consent-only model of sexual ethics a liberal sexual ethic?

A) Because it does not make reference to religion
B) Because it does not take conservatives' perspective into account
C) Because only liberals consent to engaging in casual sex
D) Because it gives primary importance to autonomous choice
E) Because it gives primary importance to making right choices

Question 5

McPherson explains that the liberal sexual ethic leads to a number of conclusions with regard to sexual relationships. Which of the following is NOT one of those conclusions?

A) Sexual desire is just lust, which isn't distinctively human
B) The same general moral rules govern sex and business relationships
C) Marriage is not the best context for enjoying sexual relationships
D) Casual sex is a positive thing, so long as it's consensual
E) None of these is a conclusion of the liberal sexual ethic

Question 6

McPherson affirms that it is distinctive of the liberal sexual ethic to maintain that there even is such a thing as casual sex.

Question 7

McPherson forwards what view of sexual ethics to contrast the liberal sexual ethic?

A) A personalist view
B) A theistic view
C) A Burkean view
D) A plain sex view
E) An erotic view

Question 8

McPherson suggests that sexual desire takes two general forms. What are they?

A) Lust or objectification
B) Love or longing
C) Respectful or disrespectful desire
D) Possible or impossible desire
E) Lust or erotic love

Question 9

McPherson argues that sexual relationships are necessarily objectifying.

Question 10

McPherson offers a definition of the sexual virtue of chastity. Which of the following characteristics does NOT fit his definition?

A) It applies whether one is sexually active or not
B) It is simply sexual self-control
C) It plays a role in committed relationships
D) It is a habit concerned with right feeling and intention
E) All of the above are characteristics of chastity

Question 11

What is the proper context for sexual relationships, according to the traditional sexual ethic?

A) Any relationship where the partners consent
B) Any long-term relationship
C) Heterosexual relationships
D) The vow of marriage
E) None of the above

Question 12

McPherson argues that the liberal sexual ethic cannot explain what?

A) Why chaste couples are happier
B) Why sexual violence is so wrong
C) How to make relationships last
D) How to find a like-minded mate
E) Whether contraception is permissible

Question 13

McPherson affirms what about the way that sexual ethics should be taught at colleges?

A) Private colleges should only teach the traditional sexual ethic
B) Public colleges must remain neutral by only teaching the liberal sexual ethic
C) All colleges should stop teaching sexual ethics if they are to remain neutral
D) All colleges should present the traditional sexual ethic alongside the liberal one
E) No colleges should teach sexual ethics