"Is Adultery immoral" is a paper written by psychology professor Richard Wasserstrom. Richard Wasserstrom is a retired professor at the University of California Santa Cruz. Wasserstrom argues " although sexual exclusivity is not a necessary condition of marriage, adultery in general is wrong because it involves deceit" (Wasserstrom 370). The purpose of this essay is to question our views on sexual morality. He lists that committing the act of adultery consists of acting upon immoral practices, the breaking of promises, and marital bonding. Wasserstrom assumes that breaking promises, deceiving, and taking unfair advantage of people is immoral. There since all these acts are a big chunk of what adultery is it is immoral.
Mr. Wasserstrom defines adultery as "any case of extramarital sex". "Hence when one of the parties has sexual intercourse with a third person he or she breaks the promise about sexual relationships which was made when the marriage was entered into, and defeats the reasonable expectations of exclusivity entertained by the spouse". Wasserstrom implies that the pain inflicted is done purposely, which makes it a greater harm. Marriage vows are seen as one of the most important promises in between lovers, according to Mr. Wasserstrom. The breaking of these vows is seen as an unthinkable act, because it causes pain to the partner that is not committing the act. It also destroys the fabric that is held by these partners the moment they announced their vows. It could either destroy it temporarily or permanently. He implies that the culture of the 50s-70s were a "chief currency". Meaning that it's the ideal culture in his point of view. He also see's it as wrong because whenever someone commits adultery there is always synonymous with deceit. He points out that their is lies, but also its just as bad when no lies are being told. So basically adultery consists of both passive and active deceit.