I once got a study guide outlining (as briefly as it could) the study of ethics. Don't laugh, I've at least learned a lot that way (and thru Cliffs Notes--I digress). Anyways, it brought up a very good point. Most modern philosophers are skeptical there is one, true moral code. But they do agree on one thing, the reason why cultures develop ethical codes. They do so for stability and order--and indeed, just to survive, as a culture. And this same study guide brought up another good point. Some old ethical standards seemed sensible at the time. But they are now erroneously judged to be valid, on an idea or assumption that is now just an anachronism. Take the old Jewish (and now Christian) rule against adultery. It was originally basically a property crime. And it also stemmed from the fact that paternity was hard to prove back then.(It was also originally just a crime women could commit. Who came up with that great idea?) Now it has become an anachronism. There is nothing wrong with adultery now, esp. if all parties do so consensually. Then there is homosexuality. At one time, people thought a little human was found in a man's semen. So casting your "seed" anywhere but a woman's womb would be tantamount to murder. We now realize, of course, this is not true. Also, don't get me wrong. But there really is nothing intrinsically harmful to society about plural marriage, again if it is fully consensual, and involves competent adults. People do use old ethical systems, though, to this day to indulge their personal standards, and prejudices too, sometimes. Prostitution, homosexuality, pornography, etc. Why not? Where exactly am I wrong in my assumptions and conclusions, here? :daisy: :daisy:
Honesty is timeless, but... I'm with you on allowing almost anything between consenting adults. We no longer have good reasons for any other standard. The problem with religious texts in this context is there is no way to update them to reflect changes in scientific knowledge and medical technology. Also, we no longer have a population shortage due to wars and epidemics. We don't need to reproduce as efficiently as possible.
There's a lot wrong with adultery, as in cheating. If all parties are aware, it's polyamory. Sexual morality is necessary to protect those who don't make good decisions, on a society-wide level. The young, impaired, the predators. Is it a legal issue, social issue or personal issue? I say yes to all. But I think laws need to be open to new relationship frameworks.
