Chapter 5 - Moral environmentalism

Summary

Writing in 1991, and discussing the political climate of the United States, Thomas Nagel made the following observations:

There is renewed hostility to homosexuals, and to pornography. Such feelings also play a part in the opposition to the right to abortion, which is closely connected with the opposition to sexual freedom, particularly the sexual freedom of women.

He continued:

While I do not sympathize with the ideals behind this moral environmentalism, it must be recognized that given their values the conservatives do have a genuine interest here, since extensive individual liberty in sexual matters, creates an emotional and cultural climate in which their preferred forms of sexual life are more difficult to maintain and to inculcate in their children.

My purpose is not to defend the conservative ideals that Nagel did not sympathize with. This is not an essay on sexual morality. But I do wish to defend the general practice of moral environmentalism that Nagel’s remarks invite us to consider; or to put it more accurately, I wish to defend one understanding of that practice from what I take to be the most important objection raised against it. This objection appeals to the value of personal autonomy.