Among the many topics explored by the philosophy of sexuality are procreation, contraception, celibacy, marriage, adultery, casual sex, flirting, prostitution, homosexuality, masturbation, seduction, rape, sexual harassment, sadomasochism, pornography, bestiality, and pedophilia. What do all these things have in common? All are related in various ways to the vast domain of human sexuality. That is, they are related, on the one hand, to the human desires and activities that involve the search for and attainment of sexual pleasure or satisfaction and, on the other hand, to the human desires and activities that involve the creation of new human beings. For it is a natural feature of human beings that certain sorts of behaviors and certain bodily organs are and can be employed either for pleasure or for reproduction, or for both. The philosophy of sexuality explores these topics both conceptually and normatively.

God's plan for human love and sexuality is good news! All that the Catholic Church teaches about human love and sexuality comes from this truth: that God, who is love, created all people in his image—male and female he created them—to share his love and therefore to reflect his love in the world and in their lives. He shows us the face of God, and shows us who we are, and who we are called to be. Love and sexuality are bound up in this noble truth! Catholic teachings on love and sexuality are founded on God's revelation of himself in Christ Jesus—as handed on through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition see Catechism of the Catholic Church, , accessible to the light of faith; and, on the nature of the human person and the natural moral law, accessible to right reason and illuminated by faith.

Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. Someone's sexual orientation is their pattern of sexual interest in the opposite or same sex. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one's sexuality, while spirituality concerns an individual's spiritual connection with others.