Morals and Critical Thinking

Morals and Critical Thinking

PSY/265

October 17, 2012

Laura Schulz

Morals and Critical Thinking

When it comes to making sexual decisions several things come into play besides if a person is hot for someone. Two of the main things besides attraction are value systems, and critical thinking. These two things along with others help people make good sexual decisions, and sometimes bad ones.

Value Systems

Two value systems for making sexual decisions are Hedonism, and Relativism. Hedonism is a value system that is based on the belief the sexual hunger is a need of living beings just like hunger, thirst, and companionship. Under this value system people do what they enjoy to satisfy his or her needs without thinking of other value systems or morals. People this value system could say they have an itch that needs scratched. Relativism is the value system with the least amount of prejudice. According to the relativism value system no one set of moral values is above another. For example a person that follows these values may believe in premarital sex, but agree that it is all right for someone else to be against it. (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005)

I feel that I lay between these two values systems. In the Hedonism value system I agree that sexual hunger is a need that has to be satisfied. If one do not they experience mood changes such as irritability or lack of sleep until he or she satisfies the need. I also fall in line with the Relativism value system. I feel that you love who you love, and you have sex when and with whom you want. I also feel that everyone has the right to his or her own opinion on sexual matters.

Critical Thinking

Listed below are some principles of critical thinking that one would use when making sexual decisions.

• Skepticism- do not believe everything you hear do the research and inform yourself(Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, , 2005)

• Examine definitions of terms- some words used in different context have...