Using Augustine in contemporary sexual ethics - A response to Gilbert Meilaender (Adopting a critical attitude toward assisted reproduction from Roman Catholic teaching)

In response to Gilbert Meilaender's innovative interpretation of Augustine and of Roman Catholic teaching, the author suggests (1) that Meilaender att ributes to Augustine a more positive view of sexual pleasure than the texts will support, (2) that modern Roman Catholic teaching suggests that love s hould have priority over procreation as a meaning of sex; and (3) that the moral logic of Meilaender's argument does not require a rejection of all re productive technologies. Nonetheless, the author agrees that a more critica l attitude should be adopted toward the reasons for which technologically a ssisted reproduction is promoted and undertaken, as well as toward its soci al impact.