CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2023
| Author | Matkovic, Marta |
|---|---|
| Title | A Precautionary Argument in Favour of the Vertical Incest Prohibiton |
| Summary | In this thesis, I argue that there is nothing morally wrong with incest as such. I reject the three most commonly used arguments which seek to prove either incest’s immorality or the validity of the incest prohibition: the genetics argument, the power dynamics and the family value argument. I rely on Jeffrey Sebo’s and Francesco Orsi’s analysis of these arguments. I then argue that, despite incest itself not being immoral, there are precautionary reasons why a prohibition on vertical incest should remain in force. Allowing vertical incest between consenting adults could lead to negative consequences for children in general, by shifting the ways in which parents perceive parental ob-ligations and by providing more space for the abuse of parental power. I anticipate two objections. Firstly, from Natasha McKeever’s view about incest, according to which incest is rare and mostly occurs between adults who have been separated until they all reached adulthood, and as such does not pose the threat of increase in child abuse. Secondly, coming from Vera Bergelson’s analysis of incest, that the incest prohibition resembles historical examples of injustice, like the ban on gay or interracial marriages. I reject both objections. |
| Supervisor | Gheaus, Anca |
| Department | Philosophy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2023/matkovic_marta.pdf |
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