There is a concept described by Aristotle known as “Proper Functioning” which basically states that to discover the human good, or virtue, we must identify the human Function, or purpose. Aristotle continues that the human function is rational activity therefore rational activity performed well is humanity’s good; which Aristotle takes to mean as virtuous.

Whether you agree with Aristotle’s argument that the sole function of humans is rational activity, most who disagree would concede that at least one of human’s function is rational activity. Humans are rational beings after all, unlike every other living and nonliving thing on the planet.

This reasoning of identifying the function of something is effective and important. To define and understand what things are and mean is vital and taken for granted. Which leads me to my point.

What is the function of marriage?

In today’s culture, more specifically the U.S., two people often get married because they think that being married will bring them happiness. To them being happy is what life is all about. I don’t necessarily disagree with this assessment. However, in my opinion, and Aristotle’s, happiness, or eudaimonic happiness (eudaimonia) is achieved through having wisdom, skills, and virtues to resolve conflicts and dilemmas that might arrive in everyday life.

So, if happiness is achieved through obtaining skills, wisdom, and virtues, and then living your life with those things then marriage is not a means to achieve happiness, but rather something that can cause eudaimonia, if acted out properly.

Then the next logical question would be- What is the purpose of Marriage? Perhaps it is to show the world that two individuals love each other. However, many different people love each other- parents love their kids, kids love their siblings etc., but these people can’t get married. So then maybe marriage is meant to show two people love each other romantically and sexually. Ok, but there are nasty and disturbed people who are sexually attracted to many different things-children, animals, other things…(yikes). The point being is society doesn’t allow for those people and things to get married.

Ok so then what is marriage about it is not about happiness and love?

Procreation and family.

That is the function of a marriage to bring children into the world and begin a family, the building block of society. Bringing a child into the world undoubtably brings about new challenges everyday for the married couple; new challenges that each person can use their wisdom, skills, and virtues to raise the child/children, bringing about eudaimonia.

So, if procreation is the function of marriage then the only people who can enter into marriage are two people who are able to procreate. I understand this is an unpopular opinion, however, when logically argued with or, in this case, without religion, it logically follows. If there is a hole in my logic let me know. ([email protected] or comment below)

Believe it or not, but I am not a homophobic Republican writing in hopes that the government and others will discriminate and oppress against gay people. This also applies to straight people too. If marriage’s purpose is procreation, then the means to achieve procreation must only take place within marriage. Sex outside of marriage is illogical according to this argument because the function of the marriage is to create a child and the way to create that child is through sex. If sex is done outside of marriage then the institution of marriage loses value because then humanity does not need marriage to have sex and a family. However, accepting that logic would ignore the successful history of humankind and how families and marriage, built society from the ground up.

People of all sexual orientations should look at their own lives and relationships and seek to answer the question of how they want to live their life and what they want their life to represent and stand for. People need to think through how they want to live and what example to set for this generation and future ones. To put it simply, no marriage=no family, no family=no successful society. This is ideally though. I realize that sex is pleasurable and people are weak, but in a perfect world sex would be reserved for marriage and people who do not enter into marriage would remain chaste. I believe this would make for a better society, but I also respect each other’s freedom which is why politically I am for the states deciding what to do on the issue of gay marriage. Although I think it is strange that the government has any say regarding marriage especially because it is and always has been a religious institution especially considering the Constitution never mentions marriage. If those who aren’t religious want to get married, then it should just be known as a civil union. Either way the government is too large and it will be tough to change the government’s power now.