“Natural law is the best approach to contraception” Discuss (30 marks)

The teachings of the Roman Catholic church are opposed to artificial contraception. In 1969, in Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the traditional Natural Law stance of the church. He argued that the use of condoms creates a physical barrier to prevent childbirth. And this is unnatural, because it would not be fulfilling the primary precept “reproduction” which encourages procreation. And therefore the secondary precept that “contraception is wrong”, can be deduced, evidencing Natural Moral Law to view contraception as intrinsically wrong. However, in order to attain this ethical viewpoint, despite the precepts being immutable and absolute we had to deduce a secondary precept. Secondary precepts are derived from the Primary Precepts and have no exceptions, however they do offer a slight degree of flexibility and the option to operationalise what we mean by a lot of the precepts. Thus creating the issue of conflicting precepts. For example, understandably contraception does go against the precept of “reproduction”, however what do we mean by an “ordered society”. As Anglican Clergy in London’s East End remarked, contraception is often a way of relieving the poverty of the laboring classes. Therefore, surely contraception would create a more ordered society. As less people will be poor, fewer living standards and livelihoods would be compromised and therefore there will be less crime committed in order to obtain financial gain. Resulting in a more ordered society. Additionally, there is the “Preservation of Life”, for a young woman who is unable to support a child financially or emotionally, contraception may be the most feasible option for her. However, under Natural Moral Law it is prohibited, but, you can question whose life is being preserved. Ultimately, if this young woman were to have her baby she may lose her life as she knew it, thus the unwanted pregnancy results in the decline of her own life. Despite the preservation of another, it does not preserve her own creating a paradox. Consequently, the absolutist approach of Natural Moral Law does not consider the issue of relativity pertinent to the issue of contraception. Therefore, it can be thought of as too deontological for this issue as you would hope for an approach which was more consequentialist. In considering the implications on the potential life’s future, and that future of the mother and surrounding family.

Contrastingly, an ethical theory such as Utilitarianism which is based off of the principle of utility: “the greatest good for the greatest number”. Adopts a more appropriate stance, as it is absolutist in its principle, yet relativist in its application. J.S Mill was the first Utilitarian in favour of contraception. Mill was even arrested for distributing obscene literature material that showed how to use contraception. Mill unlike many other ethicist recognised that the greatest good for the greatest number could not be possible if women were denied liberty. And Natural Moral Law in its lack of acceptance towards contraception does not provide women their rightful autonomy. Creating a circular argument as this causes disorder in society, going against the primary precept for “an ordered society”. Which highlights the theories inability to deal with intricate ethical issues like contraception. As well as this preference utilitarian, Peter Singer highlighted the use of contraception as necessary in order to control population growth. He even went as far as to suggests that before aid be provided in developing countries the condition that contraceptives would be used should be instigated. Whilst this statement is extreme, it does hold value. As it would have largely helped with the HIV/ AIDs epidemic adhering to the “Preservation of Life”, if you see “Life” as something of good health. Additionally, it would again help relieve the poor of such hardship in trying to attain food, money and shelter for such a large family- often unfeasible for the majority. Subsequently suggesting a direct approach such as Utilitarianism may be of more use.