Philosophy Now Forum

RA, Silly me - I wasn't wearing my reading glasses when I first read your post! But I'm glad you liked what I wrote. I've had further thoughts on porn versus erotica, but will leave it until tomorrow when I've more time.

RachelAnn wrote: " Let's say that pornography means, simply, sexual expression (text, visual imagery) that is meant to, or does, provoke sexual arousal or desire. Maybe the nominal argument could be made that government regulation of pornography would be inimical to women's rights. " To my...

AS, I don't care what you do in private. That's your business. Women can have whatever fantasies they wish. However, there is no need to have real people act out such fantasies for all the reasons outlined ad nauseum. I will not move from my viewpoint simply to satisfy your need for me to agree with...

AS: It is not real sex...it is fantasy. :?: So now harcore porn is not real sex? So you are saying no penis ever enters any body orifice? As it's not real sex, then why not simply imagine such goings on rather than expecting other people to act out your sexual fantasies at great risk to themselves? ...

I had my ears pierced when I was a teenager as I've always had a passion for antique earrings. I kept losing clip-ons as they fall out more easily. I know that ear piercing could be regarded as mutilation, but it only cost a few bob at the time and has saved me a fortune in the long-term! But I digr...

A brief comment which will invite accusations of prudery no doubt! Personally I don't understand why people need sex toys. I'm not judging them for using such gadgets, just baffled as to why they are meant to be a turn-on. Vibrators, for example, if used frequently surely would deaden the nerve endi...

AS: What does it matter what kind of sex if it is in a secluded place outdoors away from voyeuristic eyes? Eh? Yet again you've misread what I wrote. The outdoor sex in private was an aside. It's not sex outdoors per se but Richard's proposal of sex in full public view. In other words, I was asking ...

...is the compulsion to expose one's genitalia in inappropriate circumstances. Even if it is a 'compulsion,' it remains a choice in behavior. State hospitality suites welcome those who practice such behaviors. It's not a real choice if the person has congenital learning disability, or mental handic...

I don't think feminist porn is freely available over the Internet. It has to be paid for. However, there is a Feminist Porn Awards site. As I've just broken my beautiful Edwardian teapot, I'd rather spend my hard earned cash at the local flea market. . So I can't comment on its merits or short-comin...

Exhibitionism is defined as exposing one's genitals with the intent of provoking sexual interest in the viewer. All of the medical/psychiatric sites add "paraphilia" somewhere in the definition; coined by Freud, it connotes sexual abnormality. Abnormality is Bad. Most of the med-psy's als...

Funnily enough, I agree with most of what Richard advocates. As for marriage (same sex or any other version), I don't know why anyone needs marriage at all. Since some people on this forum say they disapprove of state interference, then why conform to state sanctioned marriage? Or state sanctioned k...

Many years ago I spent some time in a New Age spiritual community on a remote Scottish Island. (I no longer abide by any defined spiritual belief system I hasten to add.) What I remember most vividly on my first day was having a conversation with someone whilst she was sitting in the outside privvy ...

Yes I knew exactly what you meant Richard. I'm saying that the apologists for violent and degrading pornography (not yourself!) use every diversion tactic imaginable to 'normalise' it. Wasn't public sex the norm in ancient Rome? Whether it was or not, we do know the Romans had a penchant for sadisti...

Richard, violent pornography is not nudity or naturism. Naturists are not prostitutes/porn performers by definition of their nakedness. The 'exhibitionist' word was a throw-away remark when I talked tongue-in-cheek about so-called ethical porn. I used it specifically to describe those who would perf...

In addition to the scientific references posted earlier (i.e. the physical and mental health issues of porn performers), for anyone seeking reliable scientific research into the harmful effects on the consumer of violent and degrading forms of pornography, here's the link to Pub Med (articles from t...