Abstract
The New Natural Law Theory (NNLT) argues against the morality (and legality) of same sex-unions on the basis that homosexual (and non-reproductive heterosexual) acts are unnatural, unreasonable, and therefore immoral. In this paper, we explore and critique the foundational principles - biological and personal complementarity, their subcategories, and the interrelationship between them - that the NNLT uses to justify its claim. We propose alternative principles - orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity, with a distinct interrelationship - to argue that homosexual couples can engage in sexual acts that are natural, reasonable, and therefore moral. Our study clearly demonstrates that for the NNLT genital complementarity, a subcategory of biological complementarity, is the sine qua non for personal complementarity. In other words, personal complementarity within a sexual act is only possible if there is genital complementarity between male and female. We believe that the NNLT's foundational principles reflect too narrow an understanding of the human person and human sexuality. Instead, we propose "holistic complementarity" as the fully human integration of orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity. What defines a natural, reasonable, and moral sexual act is not genital complementarity as the foundational principle, but a dialectic between these three principles of complementarity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 182-205 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Heythrop Journal |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 2006 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Philosophy
- Religious studies
Cite this
New natural law theory and foundational sexual ethical principles : A critique and a proposal. / Salzman, Todd A.; Lawler, Michael G.
In: Heythrop Journal, Vol. 47, No. 2, 2006, p. 182-205.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - New natural law theory and foundational sexual ethical principles
T2 - A critique and a proposal
AU - Salzman, Todd A.
AU - Lawler, Michael G.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - The New Natural Law Theory (NNLT) argues against the morality (and legality) of same sex-unions on the basis that homosexual (and non-reproductive heterosexual) acts are unnatural, unreasonable, and therefore immoral. In this paper, we explore and critique the foundational principles - biological and personal complementarity, their subcategories, and the interrelationship between them - that the NNLT uses to justify its claim. We propose alternative principles - orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity, with a distinct interrelationship - to argue that homosexual couples can engage in sexual acts that are natural, reasonable, and therefore moral. Our study clearly demonstrates that for the NNLT genital complementarity, a subcategory of biological complementarity, is the sine qua non for personal complementarity. In other words, personal complementarity within a sexual act is only possible if there is genital complementarity between male and female. We believe that the NNLT's foundational principles reflect too narrow an understanding of the human person and human sexuality. Instead, we propose "holistic complementarity" as the fully human integration of orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity. What defines a natural, reasonable, and moral sexual act is not genital complementarity as the foundational principle, but a dialectic between these three principles of complementarity.
AB - The New Natural Law Theory (NNLT) argues against the morality (and legality) of same sex-unions on the basis that homosexual (and non-reproductive heterosexual) acts are unnatural, unreasonable, and therefore immoral. In this paper, we explore and critique the foundational principles - biological and personal complementarity, their subcategories, and the interrelationship between them - that the NNLT uses to justify its claim. We propose alternative principles - orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity, with a distinct interrelationship - to argue that homosexual couples can engage in sexual acts that are natural, reasonable, and therefore moral. Our study clearly demonstrates that for the NNLT genital complementarity, a subcategory of biological complementarity, is the sine qua non for personal complementarity. In other words, personal complementarity within a sexual act is only possible if there is genital complementarity between male and female. We believe that the NNLT's foundational principles reflect too narrow an understanding of the human person and human sexuality. Instead, we propose "holistic complementarity" as the fully human integration of orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity. What defines a natural, reasonable, and moral sexual act is not genital complementarity as the foundational principle, but a dialectic between these three principles of complementarity.
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M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 182
EP - 205
JO - Heythrop Journal - Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology
JF - Heythrop Journal - Quarterly Review of Philosophy and Theology
SN - 0018-1196
IS - 2
ER -