A moral theory is a set of principles that describe how people ought to act and behave in certain situations. Sexual identity refers to an individual's sense of self in relation to their sexual orientation, while desire refers to the physical and emotional attraction towards another person. Moral theories can provide insights into the ethics behind these concepts, but they may not be able to fully explain them. While morality considers the rights and wrongs of human behavior, it does not always take into consideration the psychological complexity of sexual desires and identities.
The most well-known moral theory is utilitarianism, which states that actions should be judged based on their consequences for the greatest good of the largest number of people. This theory suggests that one should maximize pleasure and minimize pain, and this applies to both personal and social decisions.
When it comes to sex and romance, utilitarianism may not be sufficient.
A man might experience strong feelings of love or attraction towards another person who would not bring him any happiness in terms of his career goals. In such cases, utilitarianism might lead to rejecting those emotions as immoral, even though they are genuine and authentic. Similarly, a woman might feel guilty about engaging in a sexual relationship with someone she doesn't really care about, even if doing so brings her short-term pleasure. The theory cannot account for the nuances of interpersonal relationships and intimacy.
Another approach is deontology, which focuses on following rules and principles rather than outcomes. This framework could help individuals make rational decisions regarding sexuality by providing guidelines on what is permissible and impermissible. It could argue against certain behaviors, such as adultery or promiscuity, based on their violation of moral laws. But again, this would ignore the complexities of desire and identity. Someone might feel attracted to multiple partners at once, while others may identify as pansexual or polyamorous, making them hard to categorize within strict moral frameworks.
Kantian ethics emphasizes duty and responsibility, suggesting that people act according to universal moral laws that apply to all humans equally.
There may be conflicts between these laws and one's personal preferences or desires. Kant argued that lying is always wrong, but someone may lie to avoid hurting their partner's feelings about their sexual orientation. They may also choose to conceal their true gender identity from family members to protect themselves from discrimination. In both cases, Kantianism would clash with their individual needs and values.
Virtue ethics focuses on developing good character traits through habituation. A virtuous person would strive for excellence in all areas of life, including their romantic and sexual relationships.
Some behaviors are not considered virtuous, such as cheating or manipulation.
The idea of a "virtuous" relationship depends on cultural norms and expectations, which vary across societies and times.
Monogamy has been the dominant standard in Western culture, yet some cultures encourage polygamy or open marriages. Virtue theory struggles to account for the diversity of human experience.
Moral theories offer valuable insights into how we should behave towards others, but they cannot fully explain sexual identity and desire. Our complex psychological makeup, physical attractions, and social contexts shape our emotions and behavior, which cannot always fit neatly into moral categories. Morality can provide guidance, but it must take into consideration the nuances of sexuality and intimacy to be truly helpful.
Can moral theories fully account for sexual identity and desire?
Even though various moral theories have attempted to provide explanations of sexual identity and desire over time, it is impossible for them to fully explain these complex phenomena. Sexual orientation, identity, and desire are highly influenced by cultural norms, social factors, biological components, psychological experiences, and individual preferences, among other things. Therefore, any attempt to reduce them into a set of rules or principles may not be accurate or comprehensive enough to capture their complexity.