Consent in Morality and Law

Consent plays a central role in sexual ethics and medical ethics, as well as the laws that govern these areas of our lives. As a result, moral philosophers and legal philosophers share interests in questions like: Does consent need to be communicated or is a mental decision sufficient? What forms of deception or coercion invalidate someone’s consent? When someone gives their consent, which rights do they waive? These questions’ answers bear on what individuals must do in order to avoid wronging each other, as well as the policies that aim to prevent and penalise these wrongs.