Sexual Ethics: how about some simple guidelines?
Years ago I listened to a tape which talked not about sexual rules, but about the questions we should be asking to determine whether or not a relationship is ethical. I found this to be useful over the years, when confronted with situations which begged for guidelines.
I forgot some of the questions and that bothered me. The tape had long since vanished.
At the Women’s Convocation I chose the session “Contemporary Catholic Christian Ethics” by Margaret A. Farley. As she started off, I realized these were the questions on the tape! The tape is in the process of becoming a book, fully developed!
Here are the questions as I took notes on them. The WORDS IN CAPS are her words. The questions are my summary, not her exact words. She is not responsible for how I process what I hear!
(1) FREE CONSENT: Is this decision truly free? Are both parties free to make this decision?
(2) MUTUALITY: Does this relationship involve mutuality, or are the benefits one-sided?
(3) EQUALITY: Is this a relationship between equals?
(4) COMMITMENT: Does the relationship express itself in commitment?
(5) FRUITFULNESS: Does this relationship turn in on itself or give life?
(6) SOCIAL JUSTICE: How does this relationship affect the larger community?
I’ve tried these questions on other ethical issues that come up in our daily lives and the lives of our friends. They seem to be a place to start the discussion of "What is the right and good thing to do?"