Is it possible for a couple NOT to use each other with ABC?

[lilrips1]

I’ve gotten to a blocking point in my understanding of the Church’s teaching on artificial birth control. With NFP, of course it is possible for a couple to use each other as objects for pleasure, but it is also possible (and the ideal) not to.

I understand that with ABC, there is no “common good,” no potential child in the mindset, but rather each person feels personal pleasure, and that pleasure is not shared. However, this doesn’t seem like enough to prove that it is impossible for a couple NOT to use each other during the marital act while using ABC. I imagine the syllogism goes like this:

When couples practice ABC during intercourse, there is no common good.
Without a common good, couples must be using each.
Therefore, couples who practice ABC during intercourse must be using each.

I don’t know how these premises are shown to be true or not. Can someone shed some light on this?

 

[1ke]

I’ve gotten to a blocking point in my understanding of the Church’s teaching on artificial birth control. With NFP, of course it is possible for a couple to use each other as objects for pleasure, but it is also possible (and the ideal) not to.

I understand that with ABC, there is no “common good,” no potential child in the mindset, but rather each person feels personal pleasure, and that pleasure is not shared. However, this doesn’t seem like enough to prove that it is impossible for a couple NOT to use each other during the marital act while using ABC. I imagine the syllogism goes like this:

When couples practice ABC during intercourse, there is no common good.
Without a common good, couples must be using each.
Therefore, couples who practice ABC during intercourse must be using each.

I don’t know how these premises are shown to be true or not. Can someone shed some light on this?

That isn’t the reason contraception is intrinsically evil. So, the premise is moot.

 

[lilrips1]

1ke,

Disclaimer: I know (and agree) that contraception is intrinsically evil.

I’m just trying to reason through why it is (or not) impossible for a couple to engage in the marital act without using each other. I’ve been struggling to find anywhere that argues it instead of just stating it.

What do you think would be a better middle term or figure?

 

[1newcatholic]

I understand that with ABC, there is no “common good,” no potential child in the mindset, but rather each person feels personal pleasure, and that pleasure is not shared.

what do you mean, not shared?

 

[lilrips1]

what do you mean, not shared?

I mean, the pleasure experienced by one is not the same as the other. Each experiences pleasure personally, so it is not one pleasure and not shared. A common good would be shared, but the common good is blocked with ABC.

 

[1newcatholic]

I mean, the pleasure experienced by one is not the same as the other. Each experiences pleasure personally, so it is not one pleasure and not shared. A common good would be shared, but the common good is blocked with ABC.

Thank you

 

[underacloud]

As 1ke notes, you’re approach to this is not that of the Church. You have not addresses why contraception is wrong, but are instead chasing a red herring.

Ask yourself this: are a couple who are naturally infertile neccessarily “using each other” when they have sex?

The answer should be: no. The Church teaches that this is moral and serves the good of unity of the spouses.

From this we see that it is not a lack of fertility that makes contracepted sex immoral. Instead, it is the means to achieve it. If you have not yet read Humanae Vitae I highly recommend it as the Church’s position is clearly and eloquently presented therein.

 

[thistle]

As 1ke notes, you’re approach to this is not that of the Church. You have not addresses why contraception is wrong, but are instead chasing a red herring.

Ask yourself this: are a couple who are naturally infertile neccessarily “using each other” when they have sex?

The answer should be: no. The Church teaches that this is moral and serves the good of unity of the spouses.

From this we see that it is not a lack of fertility that makes contracepted sex immoral. Instead, it is the means to achieve it. If you have not yet read Humanae Vitae I highly recommend it as the Church’s position is clearly and eloquently presented therein.