The act of sex can be considered both private and public depending on the circumstances. In some cases, it may be carried out discreetly within the privacy of one's own home while in others it could take place more openly.
There are certain situations where one might feel ashamed to admit that they have had sexual relations with another person because they fear judgment from society. This leads to a philosophical tension between judging private sexual acts according to public morals.
If someone has an affair outside their marriage, they would likely keep it secret for fear of disapproval or rejection. But what happens when those same people judge others who engage in similar behavior? What about those whose lifestyle is seen as deviant by mainstream society? Do you think they should also be judged negatively? Should we judge everyone equally based on how they behave privately even though many factors influence our decisions such as upbringing and culture? There is no easy answer but these questions must be asked so we can understand why different people view things differently.
Tension 1: Judgementalism vs. Acceptance
One major tension arises when considering whether to accept other people's private behaviors or judge them harshly. Some people believe that it is not right for anyone to judge anyone else unless they have walked a mile in their shoes and experienced the exact situation themselves. Others believe that it is necessary to create standards for acceptable behavior regardless of whether or not those standards match one's own personal beliefs. When faced with this dilemma, most people tend to lean towards either side depending on their personal values and experiences. Those who value freedom of choice may argue that everyone should be allowed to live life however they choose without being judged while those who hold firm religious beliefs might say that certain activities are sinful and wrong which makes it imperative for society to condemn those who participate in them. The question then becomes: Where do we draw the line between judgmentalism and acceptance? How much tolerance should there be before someone is considered immoral for engaging in private sexual acts?
Tension 2: Morality vs. Ethics
Another philosophical tension arises from determining what constitutes moral behavior versus ethical behavior. It is often assumed that what is morally correct will also be ethically correct but this assumption has been proven incorrect time after time throughout history as new discoveries challenge old ways of thinking about ethics and morals.
Many would consider premarital sex immoral but it could actually be seen as an act of love rather than lust if both parties agree to it within the context of consenting adults. In cases like these, where does one draw the line between morality and ethics? Does one person's view trump another's simply because they see things differently? And how can we determine which interpretation is right?
Tension 3: Consent vs. Coercion
There is a third tension between whether or not consent plays into public expectations when it comes to private sexual acts. When two people decide to engage in any kind of sexual activity together, it is usually done out of their own free will with mutual understanding and agreement on all aspects involved.
Sometimes people may feel pressured into doing something against their will due to social pressure or forceful persuasion - even rape falls under this category. But who gets to decide what consensual sex looks like? Is it solely up to the individuals themselves or should society intervene if certain behaviors are deemed unacceptable by mainstream standards? What happens when someone doesn't give clear enough indication that they want to participate in a given action but then feels obligated later on because others assume otherwise? Do we really need stricter laws regarding consent or does that just create more problems than solutions?
What philosophical tensions arise from judging private sexual acts in the context of public moral expectations?
Judgment of private sexual acts in public often leads to conflict between an individual's personal beliefs and cultural norms. The tension arises due to the conflicting notions of morality and privacy. While some people believe that sexuality should be limited to marriage and monogamy, others may find it acceptable to explore their desires outside of these bounds. This can cause social ostracism and stigma for those who deviate from accepted standards.