Moral progress is the idea that society's ethical standards are gradually becoming more humane, just, rational, egalitarian, and compassionate, and this trend has been accelerating in recent centuries. Morality is an abstract concept with no concrete definition or universally accepted principles. Instead, it refers to shared beliefs about right and wrong based on subjective values, cultural norms, individual experience, societal customs, religious teachings, scientific evidence, and political consensus. There are many ways to think about moral progress - whether it exists, how to measure it, what causes it, its limitations, and why it matters. This article focuses on the historical persecution of homosexuality as one lens through which to examine moral progress.
The history of human rights reveals a long tradition of marginalizing LGBTQ+ people, from ancient Greece and Rome to medieval Europe and modern America. Homosexual acts were criminalized in various cultures, often punishable by death. Even today, some countries still outlaw same-sex relationships and public displays of affection. This discrimination has caused untold suffering for millions of individuals and families worldwide.
Some scholars believe that morality evolves as we gain new knowledge and develop better understanding of ourselves and our environment. They see moral progress as a natural outcome of technological advancement, social change, and globalization.
Slavery was once legal but now widely condemned; women once had limited opportunities but can now pursue careers in politics, business, and academia; racial segregation is illegal and discredited. In contrast, other philosophers argue that morality is timeless and fixed, rooted in universal truths, revealed in scripture or nature, immutable like mathematics or physics. They view moral progress as illusory, impossible, or dangerous because it undermines traditional values and threatens cultural stability.
How does the historical persecution of homosexuality illuminate these competing perspectives? It depends on whether we see society as changing gradually over time or abruptly at critical junctures. If we accept the gradualist view, we might think that homophobia will diminish as attitudes toward sexual diversity become more tolerant, accepting, and inclusive. We could also point to specific factors driving this shift - such as scientific research on LGBTQ+ healthcare needs, queer literature, media representation, and activism. Yet if we adopt the punctuated equilibrium model, we might suggest that societies experience periods of rapid transformation followed by long stretches of stasis, with sudden shifts from one moral regime to another. This approach has been used to explain political revolutions, religious conversions, and gender equality movements.
Of course, both theories have their merits and drawbacks. But the history of homosexuality offers important insights into how morality changes across time and place. It highlights the contingency and complexity of human culture, including what people value, why they change those values, and how they enforce them through law and social pressure. As we confront new challenges in healthcare, technology, education, economy, and ecology, our ethical choices may be even more fraught than ever before. By studying past debates about sex, gender, race, class, religion, and power, we can learn how to navigate the complexities of modern life while preserving our core principles and ideals.
How does the historical persecution of homosexuality illuminate the philosophical problem of moral progress?
The history of religious and cultural views on homosexuality has been largely characterized by repression, marginalization, and criminalization. While some societies have tolerated same-sex relationships to varying degrees, many cultures throughout human history have actively suppressed them, often resulting in violence and persecution against LGBTQ+ individuals.