Topics Sex

Question What interests me is the idea I've been hearing about a lot that sex should be used only for reproduction. The justification that I've heard for this statement is based on the idea that any other sexual activity that invlolves any kind of contraception is preventing a possible person from coming to life and possibly causing psychological harm for the people that engage in sex and also their future children as they might be carrying guilt (this I have heard from a psychologist, that uses Hellinger's method of phenomenological psychotherapy). Also other arguments that I have heard from other sources are saying that there is no other benefit in engaging in sexual activity apart from possible children and pleasure. As pleasure is considered to have a very short term value it is said that there is no rational reason to have sex when we do not want to reproduce, because the risks and the consequences are larger than the value of pleasure. Humans according to some theories have to sublimate their sexual energy to spiritual activities or any other self-realisation, because the modern society is degrading wich is caused by the consumer tendencies and pleasure seeking. That causes many modern world problems. It was claimed, that all ancient cultures had the same beliefs about sex for a reason, and that those values were universal. Also the principle of genetic teleology was mentioned. Sometimes I get mixed up understanding wich arguments about this should be called rational and justified by any logical or empirical evidence and how much of this is based on dogmas and plain beliefs. So, can such argumentation be taken seriously when trying to figure out this sex question? Also, does the possibility of God's and the human spirit's or soul's existence definately implies that sex is only for reproduction? What would be the opposing arguments against this idea and what would be the rational arguments for this?

Accepted:
February 7, 2013

Comments

Interesting! Philosophers from Plato to Bertrand Russell and to more recent thinkers, have addressed the value and significance of sexuality. Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions, Roger Scruton has a book Sexual Desire with terrific examples and very interesting arguments. Thomas Nagel has a very short paper on sexual perversion which I think is quite illuminating. I think that probably the most sustained case for linking sex with reproduction comes from a Roman Catholic perspective, which should not be confused with "the Christian point of view" as many Christians think the telos or value or function of sexual union is valuable for its own sake or is an integral part of the good of intimate love. On that point, it is interesting that the story of creation in Genesis that blesses the union of man and woman before the fall notes that the two shall "become one flesh" (as it is usually translated) and there is nothing added like "the two shall become one flesh so that they may have children." I suspect (but do not know this) that some argue for the essential connection between sex and reproduction is because that gives them what seems like a non-arbitrary way of distinguishing the value of heterosexual relations (which are in principle open to reproduction even if both partners are "sterile" a horrible term) from homosexual relations or, going further out there, incest (in which case the child that may be born as the result of siblings procreating has a higher risk, supposedly, of birth defects) and beastiality (mating with a nonhuman animal, which if it does not produce a Minator --in Greek mythology will not be reproductive at all). I believe that some argue that if you allow for sex without being "open to life" (a term sometimes used for being open to reproduction) you will be on a slippery slope that will lead to (in the words of the first, immortal Ghostbuster movie, dogs and cats sleeping together, mass hysteria. But I suggest it is possible not to get on the slippery slope with the notion that good sex can be part of a good relationship in which there is consent, integrity, respect, and (I hope) love between mature adults, without having to be reproductive.