nap@druxo.UUCP (Parsons) (01/31/85)
Parsons: >> Pornography (even in its mildest forms) is degrading simply because it >> reduces sexual *people* to sexual *objects*. Human sex, as such, is not >> degrading--it involves whole people in whole relationships. Anything less >> IS degrading, and pornography is certainly something less. (So are many >> sexual relationships within marriage, by the way.) Simon: > I disagree. As much of the discussion in net.social seems to agree, it is > entirely possible to have healthy relationships with potential sexual > partners without actual sexual contact. Parsons: I whole-heartedly agree. Simon: > It is also possible, although > arguably not as satisfying, to have sexual contact with a partner without > building a relationship. Parsons: Again, I agree. ... Simon: > In the absence of > procreation, it is therefore possible to separate sex from a relationship. Parsons: Of course, it is possible. Simon: > Whether that is satisfying to the partners is a matter of psychology > and sociology that is outside this argument. Degradation does *not* > enter it anywhere, and is therefore not relevant. Parsons: This is where I disagree. I'm not, in this discussion, concerned with satisfaction, etc. I'm saying that one of the differences between fully human sex and a lesser kind of sex is the context of a relationship. Anything less than what I have called "fully human sex" is, therefore, in my opinion, degrading. Obviously, we are in an area of *opinion*. I am simply explaining why I find pornography in all of its forms, degrading. Others may perceive "human" as something other than I do. By the way, it seems to me that the greatness of the net is that it has tremendous potential for enabling us to understand a variety of points of view. I, for one, am not nearly as interested in convincing someone that I am right (hence, they are wrong?) as I am in being understood and understanding other people's points of view. Once we are sure we understand each other, I have no problem with saying that we disagree and dropping it. Of course, discussion should continue until we do understand. Nancy Parsons AT&T ISL