Analytical Paper for Same-sex Marriage - Essay Example

Lecturer: Analytical analysis of same sex marriages There are various arguments which dictate what marriage should be, Christianity views marriage as a silent formal union between two individuals for the purpose of procreation. Variations have come up to try and change the perspective of marriage. Apart from the known heterosexual marriage, same sex marriages, polygamy are more important to this essay. Same sex marriages and polygamy are said to defy morality thus, this essay will focus on unearthing the reality of a moral issue using John Stuart Mill’s theory of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is known as the greatest happiness principle. This theory by John Stuart Mill is one of the most powerfully convincing paths to normative ethics in philosophy. Utilitarianism holds the belief that a moral act is one that produces most happiness. Mill and Jeremy Bentham held that, good must be maximized so as to bring out the greatest amount of good for the majority of individuals. The belief is that we should do the action that produces the most overall happiness (Roger, 1997). This theory arose from the argument that, for an action to be considered right or wrong it must have a consequence and the consequence matter is those that produce happiness or unhappiness. Thus, the desire of a majority of individuals is pursuit for happiness. This happiness should be experienced by both parties in any situation involving a group. Determining the moral action according to this theory requires the consideration of several factors. The first consideration should be that the consequence of the action in question should produce happiness. The second thing is that the happiness of everyone should be given equal consideration. Thirdly t we should do the happiness that produces the most overall happiness. Same sex marriages simply mean formally acknowledging a relationship between two individuals of the same sex. The formality here is acceptance by the law. The society in a way already has warmed up to the idea of gay and lesbian relationships. The law is still reluctant and Bennet explains this reaction using several reasons. For some reason same sex marriages are compared to polygamous marriages. In his argument he claims the two are equivalent because they are both diversions from the heterosexual form of marriage. Critisms of same sex marriage argue that allowing this type of marriage will in turn create the need to allow any form of union, including polygamy and others. There are arguments against this stance, one being that same sex marriage and heterosexual marriages are the same, in that they are a union between two individuals. Polygamy on the other hand, represents a union of more than two people. The other argument against same sex marriages is that it will promote promiscuity especially because gay men are believed to be highly promiscuous (Robinson, 2005). The fact that the belief targeted men implies that lesbian marriages would counteract this by having a good effect (Bennett, 1996). Marriage between two male individuals would also encourage monogamy (Bennett, 1996). There is also the concern that same sex marriage deviate from the religious perspective of what marriage is expected to represent; marriage for the purpose of reproduction, education and sustaining our species. The main point here is reproduction; individuals of the same sex cannot reproduce together. This is arguable since with scientific developments reproduction has evolved to higher levels. Surrogacy has allowed gay couples to have children; reproduce with the help of surrogate mothers. Yet this is just one way through which reproduction has evolved. Same sex unions are already existent within the society, what those involved are asking for is recognition by the law. In countries where this kind of relation is prohibited, promiscuity is high, and there is a rise in the suicide levels. Denying people the right to express their feelings forces them to hide from the public who shun their actions. Mill’s utilitarian theory can give guidance on how to deal with same sex marriages. This can be done by applying the steps that determine the morality of an action. First marriage is an institution meant for two people who have mutual feelings and understanding. Gay marriages just like other marriages are between two individuals who want to share their lives till death. Gay couples have also found a way of procreating to produce offspring’s of their genus. Through science procreation is no longer an issue for same sex marriages. This takes care of the major purpose of marriage as considered by Christianity ensure the continuity of the human species. Therefore the religious belief of marriage is well considered. Religion matters when considering the utilitarian theory because, the world has conformed to religion as a way of life. Thus to some individuals what does not conform to religion is considered a sin, and to be treated by a group as a sinner can lead to stress, and psychological breakdown. It can be used to tarnish people’s reputation and therefore the consequence will not bring about happiness. The unity between two gay individuals is for those who feel their love each other enough to want to spend their life together. The purpose here is company, lifetime company if marriage is viewed as expected. Happiness as was earlier noted is pursued by all of mankind through almost all actions. If happiness is not the main target then, whatever human beings do is always for happiness or leads to happiness eventually. The company sought is because the two individuals are happy with each other. Thus, the totality of same sex marriage is company with the eventuality of achieving happiness. The two individuals committed into the relationship are both in it out of free will unless under unique situations. This brings out the next principle of the utilitarian theory. Both parties will get to gain from this relationship; they both become happy unless one party faults but initial reason for marriage is because the two involved are in pursuit of something. Eventually they hope that their desires will be met. Comparison of same sex marriage to polygamy is arguable if the utilitarian theory is used to gauge the morality of the two. Polygamy means that one spouse is shared between the others. To begin with polygamy divides the attention of one, and it is quite difficult to pull this off among the human kind. This implies that someone will suffer thus; polygamy does not bring about overall happiness. Utilitarian does not oppose polygamy, as it argues that all moral actions should produce the most overall happiness. Polygamy fails to do this as there is so much conflict in a polygamous family, more so when an individual is expected to give same and equal attention to more than one person. Polygamous relationships are full of conflicts, one because of undivided attention between the spouses (Kaczor, 2012). Spouses will argue over anything, it happens so naturally that it can rarely be stopped. Survival for the fittest applies in most polygamous relationships. Competitions between the polygamous families in the vent that one prospers more than the other. These competitions lead to death as at times they get physical. This defies the happiness that defines morality. As noted same sex marriages more than polygamy pursues happiness at every instance. This stance is after a review using the utilitarian theory whereby it is seen to lead to happiness of both those involved in the relationship. It does not at any point lead to the suffering of either of the parties involved. Since the utilitarian theory showed no defiance of religion, the assertion which was proven by the fact that even God’s desire for his creation is overall happiness. Thus, same sex marriages also do not defy religion as much as that is what it pursues. Thus, the morality of same sex marriages has been defined by this theory. According to utilitarian theory, same sex marriages are moral. Work cited Crisp, Roger. Mill on Utilitarianism. London: Routledge.1997, Print. Bennett, William J. Gay Marriage: Not a Very Good Idea. The Washington Post, May 21, 1996. Kaczor, Christopher. The Perils of Polygamy. Public Discourse, (21st of May, 2012). Web, 16th of April, 2013. Robinson, Paul. A. Queer wars the new gay right and its critics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005. Print. Read More