Global Journal of Management and Business Research, A: Administration and Management, Volume 22 Issue 9

The Ethical Emotivism of A. J. Ayer and C. L. Stevenson: A Tendentious Explanatory Matrix for Human Homosexual Behaviour Rev. Fr. Joseph T. Ekong, O.P. Abstract- This work is expository, analytic, comparative and evaluative, in its methodology. The objective is to interrogate the emotive ethical theories of A. J. Ayer, and C. L. Stevenson, in relation to the phenomenon of homosexuality, in order to ascertain whether or not the causative factors and justificatory reasons of same-sex tendencies, orientations and behaviours can be adequately accounted for, within the context of the emotive or psychical dimension of the human person. In other words, what is pivotal here is whether or not the emotive ethical theories (non-cognitivism) offer a robust conceptual grid and interpretative framework, for engaging in any demanding and rewarding discourse on the issue of human homosexual behavior. Homosexuality is a romantic, sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. Nature has created clear distinction in higher animals in terms of male and female partners, since reproduction is a necessity, by means of which it is possible to guarantee the continuity of different species kinds, in nature. Based on this principle, animal behaviour is meant, both directly and indirectly to re-produce and maintain the gene pool. The traditional belief of male and female partners and subsequent marriage in society, which has been incorporated in different religions, has been challenged by homosexual interactions, leading to very controversial moral and ethical positions. Keywords: bisexuality, comparative, evaluative, emotivism, human, homosexuality, heterosexuality, study . I. I ntroduction o A very large extent, homosexuality presents a paradox for evolutionists who explore the adaptedness of human behavior. If adaptedness is measured by reproductive success, and if homosexual behavior is non-reproductive, then what is its origin? There is little evidence that lineages gain reproductive advantage through offspring care, provided by homosexual members. Therefore, there is little support for the hypothesis that homosexuality is a product of kin selection. 1 Since parents, at times, control children’s reproductive decisions and at times encourage children in homosexual behavior, there is some support for the hypothesis of parental manipulation. Support is Author: Ph. D, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dominican University, Ibadan, Nigeria. e-mails: fatherekong71@gmail.com, ekongop@dui.edu.ng strongest, however, the in favour of the hypothesis that homosexual behavior comes from individual selection for reciprocal altruism. This is a form of altruism that occurs between unrelated individuals where there will be repayment (or at least the promise of repayment) of the altruistic act in the future. 2 A n altruistic behavior can be defined as a behavior that benefits another organism, not closely related, while being apparently detrimental to the organism performing the behavior, the benefit and detriment being defined in terms of contribution to inclusive fitness. In evolutionary biology, reciprocal altruism is a behaviour whereby an organism acts in a manner that temporarily reduces its fitness while increasing another organism's fitness, with the expectation that the other organism will act in a similar manner at a later time. 3 Non-human primates, including the apes, use homosexual behavior in same-sex alliances, but such alliances have not been proven to be relevant in the expanded distribution of human ancestors. 4 Adaptationist explanations do not fully explain sexual behavior in humans, however; social and historical factors also play strong roles. 5 We live in a world where many people judge morality by what they feel; claiming that moral statements are merely expressions of feelings . 6 This is true of the emotivists, who hold that moral statements merely express positive or negative feelings, and are based on personal opinions and values, which are largely arbitrary . 7 a) The Emotivism of A. J. Ayer and C. L. Stevenson: Antecedent and Contextual Discourses Emotivism as a meta-ethical v iew, claims that ethical sentences do not express propositions, but T 69 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXII Issue IX Version I Year 2022 ( ) A © 2022 Global Journals 1 Jack Mulder (2014) “A Response to Law and McBrayer on Homosexual Activity,” Think 13 (38):39-42. 2 Robert L. Trivers, (1971) “The Evolution of Reciprocal Altruism,” The Quarterly Review of Biology , Vol. 46, No. 1:35-37. 3 John Finnis (2001) “Reason, Faith and Homosexual Acts,” Catholic Social Science Review 6:61-63. 4 John J. Anderson (2013) “The Rhetoric of Homosexual Practice,” Journal of Religious Ethics 41 (4):601-603. 5 Timothy F. Murphy (2005) “Gay Science: Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Sexual Orientation of Children,” Reproductive Biomedicine Online 10 (Sup. 1):102-103. 6 Stephen J. Pope (1997) “Scientific and Natural Law Analyses of Homosexuality: A Methodological Study,” Journal of Religious Ethics 25 (1):89-91. 7 John Lemos (2000) “The Problems with Emotivism: Reflections on Some MacIntyrean Arguments,” Journal of Philosophical Research 25:285-287.