Kant on Sex and Marriage: The Implications for the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
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Matthew C. Altman
Abstract
When examined critically, Kant's views on sex and marriage give us the tools to defend same-sex marriage on moral grounds. The sexual objectification of one's partner can only be overcome when two people take responsibility for one another's overall well-being, and this commitment is enforced through legal coercion. Kant's views on the unnaturalness of homosexuality do not stand up to scrutiny, and he cannot (as he often tries to) restrict the purpose of sex to procreation. Kant himself rules out marriage only when the partners cannot give themselves to one another equally – that is, if there is inequality of exchange. Because same-sex marriage would be between equals and would allow homosexuals to express their desire in a morally appropriate way, it ought to be legalized.
© Walter de Gruyter 2010
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Umfangslogik und analytisches Urteil bei Kant
- Kant on Sex and Marriage: The Implications for the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
- Kant's Non-Absolutist Conception of Political Legitimacy – How Public Right ‘Concludes’ Private Right in the “Doctrine of Right”
- Logische und grammatische Form in der Prädikatenlogik – Anmerkungen zu einem „Gedanken“ Axel Bühlers
- Zwei Konjekturvorschläge zur Tugendlehre, § 9
- Noch einmal zu Kants Rechtsbegründung
- Buchbesprechungen
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Umfangslogik und analytisches Urteil bei Kant
- Kant on Sex and Marriage: The Implications for the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
- Kant's Non-Absolutist Conception of Political Legitimacy – How Public Right ‘Concludes’ Private Right in the “Doctrine of Right”
- Logische und grammatische Form in der Prädikatenlogik – Anmerkungen zu einem „Gedanken“ Axel Bühlers
- Zwei Konjekturvorschläge zur Tugendlehre, § 9
- Noch einmal zu Kants Rechtsbegründung
- Buchbesprechungen
