Bridgewater Review

Volume 4 | Issue 1 Article 9

Apr-1986 Two Cheers for Steven Sanders Bridgewater State College

Recommended Citation Sanders, Steven (1986). Two Cheers for Pornography. Bridgewater Review, 4(1), 13-16. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/br_rev/vol4/iss1/9

This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. TWO CHEERS FOR PORNOGRAPHY

Steven Sanders

he existence of pornography from the beneficial in a number of ways: as a means T earliest times and in virtually every of employment, as a tool in therapy, as an culture attests to a remarkable universality escape from boredom. However, its main and persistence. Ofcourse, popularity is no claim to beneficiality is as a source of proof of legitimacy. How, if at all, can entertainment and recreation -- it gives pornography be justified? This question people pleasure. has no easy answer. Indeed, if one may What, then, are the pleasures of pornog­ judge from the controversy, consensus is raphy? There is first the pleasure ofviewing far from being reached on the question of persons we find attractive and activity we pornography. I shall suggest some things find entertaining. And there is ofcourse the that can be said in favor of pornography, pleasure of sexual desire itself. Closely tied though I am by no means giving my unquali­ to this is the pleasure of the recognition of fied endorsement -- hence, only two cheers the intention that one be sexually aroused, for pornography. Naturally, I expect some a pleasure not confined to pornography, readers to disagree with me, so I will also but found also in flirtation and other forms explain why recent objections to pornog­ of sexual play. In pornography, sexual raphy either neglect or obscure the issues. ar'ousal is produced by means of the read­ er's or viewer's recognition ofthe intention The Value of Pornography to produce this effect. This gives pornogra­ In attempting to justify pornography, phy a structure of reflexive recognition and let's first consider its value. It will be thus helps to explain how pornography as a obvious to anyone who has read Hustler representation of something might fall under magazine or seen the film Deep Throat that freedom of expression protection. Then pornography has a limited and narrowly there are the pleasures for which pornogra­ focused appeal. It caters to the desire to phy is often an impetus, pleasures which read about or view sexual display and have their locus in consensual sexual activi­ activity. Consequently, pornography can ty. In addition to these benefits, reading or be a benefit to those who have such a desire. viewing pornography can be a profoundly By a "benefit" I mean something that is normative experience, causing us to con­ itself, or leads to, an experience which sider what it means to be human. The anyone who cares about himself or herself distinctively human activities and practices may reasonably want. Now, pornography is depicted in pornography have, to say the

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least, a certain meretricious buoyancy: they stimulate the imagination and provoke both the moral and aesthetic conscious­ ness. They open us to new erotic possibil­ ities, challenging us to reflect upon our ideas of beauty, normality, and sexuality. There are, of course, alternative sources of these experiences, as well as alternative experiences. What is more, the experiences to which pornography is instrumental are by no means the sole benefits in life. But that they are benefits seems indisputable, and one could only question them by referring to other values with which they might conflict.

Pornography and Feminist Ideology The suggestion that pornography is bene­ ficial is not new, but it is one that many chewing such highly emotive terms as 'por­ verbal fiat. Similarly, since the very ques­ people are accustomed to dismiss very nography' and 'obscenity,' they instead tion at issue in recent debates over porno­ casually. Discussions of pornography used terms and expressions such as 'ero­ graphy is the substantive moral claim that tend to neglect its benefits and concentrate tica,' 'explicit sexual materials,' and 'sex­ pornography degrades women, this claim on its alleged harms. Most recently, radical ually oriented materials.' prob­ needs to be supported by reasons and not feminists have argued vociferously that lems this policy may have produced, it is by biased definitions. pornography is harmful to women, and clearly preferable to the most frequently The fact that there is so much disagree­ have proposed legislation in Minneapolis, employed alternatives. For example, in ment over the meanings of key terms Indianapolis, and Cambridge that would Take Back the Night: Women on Pornogra­ creates problems for opponents of por­ give a woman grounds to sue anyone who phy, a collection of feminist essays, Dr. nography. For example, a number of writ­ had anything to do with the manufacture or Diana Russell writes that "Pornography is ers have insisted that there's a difference sale of material she thought degraded her. explicit representations of sexual behavior, between pornography and erotica. And yet These proposals have met with some suc­ verbal or pictorial, that have as a distin­ no one, to my knowledge, has been able to cess, and the momentum clearly seems to guishing characteristic the degrading or provide criteria for distinguishing be­ be with anti-pornography activists. I have demeaning portrayal of human beings, es­ tween the two that isolates the former little sympathy with their approach -­ pecially women." In her contribution to without threatening First Amendment guar­ though I support the aim to eradicate anti­ the same volume, Helen E. Longino defines antees offreedom ofspeech and expression female violence -- for reasons which will be pornography as "verbal or pictorial materi­ with respect to the latter. Erica long's clear shortly. But let me note here that the al which represents or describes sexual contribution to a forum on "The Place of assumption of a direct causal connection behavior that is degrading or abusive to one Pornography" published in a recent issue between exposure to pornographic mater­ or more of the participants in such a way as of Harper's illustrates the lengths some will ials and violence against women has not, to to endorse the degradation." If we were to go to make the distinction. "Erotica," she date, been justified by reliable empirical accept these definitions, it would seem not writes, "celebrates the erotic nature of the studies. While the preponderance of evi­ unreasonable to call for the censorship of human creature, attempts to probe what is dence fails to support any such direct causal pornography. The problem is that these erotic in the human soul and the human connection, the controversy continues. definitions assume the very point that is mind, and does so artfully, dramatically. A major problem for those who advocate being disputed by those who would defend Pornography, on the other hand, serves censoring pornography is defining terms. pornography. There is a simple way to simply as an aid to masturbation, with no What does it mean to say that something is illustrate this question-begging procedure. artistic pretensions and no artistic value." pornographic? What makes a magazine or Would Russell and Longino be willing to Note the false opposition, as if the only film pornographic? How are we to define let conservative pro-life advocates define alternatives are art or masturbation. If pornography? If we cannot answer these feminist pro-choice literature as "material pornography has only a masturbatory intent questions, how can we possibly give any that describes the violation of the rights of and effect, of course it should not be meaning to the concept of pornography? the unborn child in such a way as to considered art. But why cannot pornogra­ According to some liberals and free-speech endorse the violation"? Surely these substan­ phy be artistic? Thi5 long does not tell us, absolutists, this is precisely what we cannot tive moral conclusions -- that the pro­ though by linguistic device she pretends to do. But before embracing any hasty conclu­ choice position endorses the violation of have proved it cannot. Her view implies sions, let's look at the way the 1970 rights, that the unborn have rights -- are to that "artistic pornography" is a self-contra­ Presidential Commission on Obscenity and be established, if they can be established at dictory expression. In consequence, when Pornography dealt with the problem. Es- all, by argument and evidence and not by critic and novelist Susan Sontag writes in

14 about pornography, some clarification is in order. But first we need some background. Radical feminists are prone to see such disparate activities and practices as fashion, science, prostitution, marriage, and pornog­ raphy as expressions of male hostility and contempt and thus as manifestations of male oppression. Bound up with this ten­ dency is another which, while not essential to feminism, is often found in tandem with it. Some feminists tend to argue a priori, ignoring empirical evidence and insisting that whatever the facts concerning, for example, exposure to pornography and violence, pornography is intrinsically bad. Now, when a priori arguments are put forward as if they were empirical, as some­ times happens under the pressure of ideo­ defense of the aesthetic value of the porno­ the same degree, in every instance of por­ logical consistency, the result can be argu­ graphic novel The Story of 0, she is contra­ nography. To be sure, some pornography ments designed to confirm what the arguer dicting herself, however persuasive her argu­ deals in bestiality, the use and abuse of already "knows" to be necessarily correct. ments may seem. children, and violence against both men Let's consider an example from the work of Such difficulties are endemic to the enter­ and women but especially women. Nothing Ann Garry, a philosopher who regards prise of defining pornography, and the in what I have written is intended as a pornography as morally objectionable on reason is not far to seek. The contentions defense of such stuff, and the presence of the grounds that it degrades women. In her that "pornography degrades women," that these elements is neither necessary nor article on "Pornography and Respect for "pornography has no artistic value," and sufficient for pornography. Women," Garry considers whether it is that "pornography is antifemale propa­ If we reflect upon the basic values of possible to have pornography with non­ ganda" (Susan Brownmiller) are morally pleasure, privacy, and freedom that are sexist, morally acceptable content. She be­ motivated. Those who propose them do so placed in jeopardy by censorship, it be­ lieves there .is nothing in the concept or because of prior moral beliefs about how comes clear that ideologically-motivated definition of pornography to rule out such women should be treated, about the pur­ definitions of pornography have implica­ a possibility. "Nonsexist pornography," pose of art, about the nature of sexual tions that pose a considerable risk to those she writes, "could show men and women in exploitation. Because the sharp distinctions values. For these reasons it is preferable to roles equally valued by society. Characters between pornography and art are stipula­ define pornography in less doctrinaire, would customarily treat each other with tions, they cannot be refuted. But perhaps more nearly neutral terms. I shall use the respect and consideration. There would be the extent to which they are question­ term 'pornography' to refer to materials no attempt to treat men or women brutally begging is now clear. Equally clear, in that explicity depict nudity and/or sexual or thoughtlessly." Nevertheless, Garry consequence, is that any attempt to toss a activity in a manner usually having little or thinks such nonsexist pornography would ring around pornography is bound to ap­ no artistic or literary value, typically for the still degrade women. Why? We can imagine pear arbitrary. First, because the way we purpose of arousing and entertaining its a film in which the main character is a high think about pornography both partially audience. This definition too has its draw­ ranking female Army officer treated with determines, and is determined by, our view backs, but at least it avoids the forms of respect by both men and women, whose of its normative value. And second, be­ definitional bias identified above. (I do not various sexual encounters are explicitly cause the term 'pornography' designates a know whether it avoids all others.) It does depicted. Or consider a film in which the continuum rather than a dichotomy: a not make bold claims of artistic or literary protagonist is a female urologist who diag­ range of cases across a wide spectrum. At merit on behalfofpornography, yet it does noses illnesses brilliantly, treats patients the very least, pornography involves expli­ not rule out the possibility that there is, or with great sympathy, and also has sex with cit representations of nudity and/or sexual can be, genuinely artistic pornography. them (these examples are Garry's). "But is activity, and contains elements of fantasy the content of such a film," Garry asks, and exaggeration. It abstracts somewhat Sex and Ideology "morally acceptable if it is shown to a from the normal web of human feelings, Any assessment ofpornography ultimate­ typical porno audience today?" Her answer attachments, and circumstances. But any ly must confront our attitudes about sex. A is that "an audience oftoday is likely to see attempt to pick out one of these features as great deal is made by feminists, in particu­ the 'respected' urologist and Army officer the essence of pornography is implausible. lar, about the attitudes towards sex and as playthings or unusual prostitutes - even And ifa whole cluster ofdifferent factors is women embodied in pornography. Since if our intention in showing the film is to involved, there is no special reason to think those who attack pornography are, alas, counteract this view." You see, Garry that they must all be present, or present to often as doctrinaire about sex as they are knows in advance ofany empirical evidence

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interaction between be entitled to conclude that he thought women and men as about in terms of harm­ some form ofprosti­ ing women. The feminist argument is ser­ tution. Thus, they iously flawed in its overemphasis on the believe that almost context ofharm in which sexual language is every man/ woman sometimes used and its neglect of other . encounter has sexu­ contexts. Their account founders on the al overtones and typ­ reductive impulse to see everything as a ically is designed to manifestation of a single, universal phe­ reinforce the sexual nomenon, male oppression. domination of men." Brownmiller, Conclusion Jaggar, Garry, and To return to the theme which gives the others thus speak as title to this essay. In recent years, por­ though "prostitu­ nography has been a topic of discussion in tion is the arche­ connection with questions of censorship; typal relationship of or as an expression of male hostility and women to men"; contempt for women; or as an example of what a "typical" porno audience is like and that "pornography by its very nature re­ the commercialization ofsex; or as a conse­ what their reaction will be. This question is quires that women be subordinate to men quence of the weakening of the family unit not settled by precise observation and and mere instruments for the fulfillment of or the decline of intimacy in technological testing; rather, her theory dictates a priori male fantasies"; and that "to treat a woman society. But the question of the benefits of the answer she must give. Thus, Garry does as a sex object is automatically to treat her pornography has interest in its own right, not consider the possibility that the "typ­ as less than fully human." and needs to be more widely discussed. The ical" audience for pornographic films to­ Rather than try to survey all the consider­ idea expressed here, that pornography is day consists of heterosexual couples who ations that have been put forward for these instrumental to experiences which any per­ rent "adult" (X-rated) videocassettes for claims, let's consider the main point of one son may reasonably want, suggests that the viewing together at home. recent and influential attempt to support dismissive attitude many people take to­ I could cite other examples ofthis retreat the feminist anti-pornography position. ward pornography may well be mistaken. to the a priori, but instead let me quote The work of Ann Garry, already referred Indeed, when we contemplate those things Susan Brownmiller, who reduces this kind to, is representative. "As long as sex is that are placed at risk by censorship, we of thinking to absurdity. "But does one connected with harm done to women," she may find ourselves driven to the conclusion need scientific methodology in order to writes, "it will be very difficult not to see that our cavalier treatment of pornography conclude that the antifemale propaganda pornography as degrading women." Garry is indefensible. that permeates our nation's cultural output supports this astonishing view with a com­ promotes a climate in which acts of sexual plicated argument which focuses on lan­ hostility directed against women are not guage. She claims that the words we use in only tolerated but ideologically encour­ our thinking and speaking about sex are aged?" The disturbing feature of responses "harm-linked" words. Now, since words like these (as, in fairness, Garry herself like 'fuck' and 'screw' can be used to points out) is that they raise the suspicion indicate harm, it would appear that our that it would be beside the point to look for conception of sex is one in which, in empirical evidence against them, for their Garry's words, "the active male screws, authors give every appearance of intending harms, the passive female." Garry is quite to provide, whatever the facts may be, correct to observe that some of the vocab­ accounts that will obviously eliminate from ulary of sex can be used to indicate harm: consideration any attempt to defend por­ someone may express hostility by yelling nography. "fuck you," or convey the idea that he or With this background, it is perhaps she was taken advantage of by speaking of easier to understand how the theme of male "getting screwed." But such words are oppression actually functions in much radi­ hardly the only ones we have for speaking cal feminist polemic. It is meant both to about sex. It seems unlikely that a sensitive Steven Sanders is Professor of Philosophy at explain various institutions, activities, and and literate speaker of English would Bridgewater State College, where he teaches practices, and to condemn them. In her choose "fuck" or "screw" as his preferred courses in ethical theory, critical thinking, sex examination of radical feminist social and ways of referring to sexual intercourse. But and personal relations, and philosophy of mind. He is the author ofnumerous articles in ethics and political philosophy, Alison M. Jaggar even if he did, we would need to know a social philosophy and co-editor of an anthology makes this quite clear: "Contemporary great deal about his intentions, background on the meaning of life. radical feminists...now perceive most social beliefs, and circumstances before we would

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