Homework on "Is Adultery Immoral?" by Richard Wasserstrom

You will probably have to read the entire paper before answering these questions. What you turn in does not need to include the questions; just put the answers (and, of course, number them).



1. When Wasserstrom says something is "immoral," what does he mean? Use some of the following terms in your answer: good, bad, right, wrong.



2. Adultery often involves breaking promises. Why, according to Wasserstrom, is the promise-breaking in adultery often more serious than other promise-breakings?



3. Wasserstrom says that adultery can involve "active deception" (p.13). What does he mean by "active deception?" Does all adultery involve active deception? If not, prove that it doesn't.



4. Wasserstrom also says that adultery can involve "passive deception" (p.13). What does he mean by "passive deception?" Does all adultery involve passive deception? If not, prove that it doesn't.



5. Wasserstrom also says that adultery can involve "deception of a deeper sort" (p.16). What does he mean by this? Does all adultery involve this sort of deeper deception? If not, prove that it doesn't.



6. In paragraph 26, Wasserstrom gives the examples of polygamous and polyandrous marriages, and of marriages that allow sex with temple prostitutes, concubines, and homosexual lovers. He gives these examples in order to disprove some idea that he brings up in a previous paragraph. What is he trying to disprove with these examples?



7. a. Is Wasserstrom convinced by the arguments he has talked about that adultery is immoral?

b. Explain your answer to (a).