Thomas Mappes developed the Kantian sexual ethics that he used to develop his theory of morality. The logic was that you should never use someone as a way to reach your own goals, but rather treat them as their own end. Kantian morality is based on key ideas that include “using B solely as a vehicle to achieve A’s goals is morally wrong” and “using them as means but only using them for their personhood is incompatible”. Mappes makes clear that to use someone means to act in a manner that is incompatible with the person’s right to consent. Though, there are only two ways in which you can undermine informed and voluntary consent. They are by deception or coercion.

Mappes describes coercion in two ways: as occurrent or dispositional. The use of physical force constitutes a form of coercion, whereas the threat to harm is necessary for dispositional or ongoing coercion. In this context deception refers to knowingly lying to someone in order to achieve your goals. Deception could apply to deceiving a child who is not old enough to give consent or cheating on a partner. Raja Halwani says that casual sex can be objectified, but it doesn’t have any consequences. Even if objectification happens, casual sexuality can still be justified by other methods.

In this case, casual sex may be acceptable. The term “casual sexual activity” is often used in Halwanis morality. He defines casual sex as “no strings” sex. This means that consent from both parties is not binding. He then continues his argument, saying that it’s morally acceptable so long as people in casual sex relationships don’t use each other to get their own satisfaction. Halwani and Mappes disagree on this point. Halwani believes that casual sex should be treated with respect, while Mappes feels the same way.

Halwani’s sexual morality theory also states people have the choice to treat eachother as objects. You can only treat someone as a thing if they are treated like that. It is impossible to claim that an individual can be treated as someone without the freedom to make decisions and yet also be treated in a manner that encourages them to believe that they are capable of making choices.