Part 2: The Thinking Man's Sex

It seems to me that western society is filled with hypocrisy when it comes to human rights (human value) and sexuality. On the one hand we believe that humanity has intrinsic dignity and is worthy of certain freedoms and protections, but on the other hand we use freedom to devalue the dignity that entitles us to our protection and freedoms.

For example: Pornography. Regardless of your belief about the rights of the pornographic supplier, model, or consumer, it seems difficult to make the case that pornography affirms the dignity of anyone. The supplier might argue that he/she is not forcing anyone to take their clothes off and to pose in provocative poses; the individual is well paid for their indiscretions. The model may argue that they are not ashamed of their body, “I am displaying the beauty of the human anatomy.” The consumer may argue that (they only read the articles) we are just admiring the beauty of the human anatomy, It’s only natural.

The problem with all of these excuses, valid or not, is they fail to address the real issue concerning pornography: The value of being human. The individuals who sell women and men’s bodies in magazines, t.v., movies, and the internet are not participating in displaying human worth and dignity; they are devaluing human dignity and worth. They offer up for consumption an inseperable part of what makes us human, our bodies. You might say it is kind of a sensual, virtual cannibalism. Bodies are exploited for nothing but self gratification by all participants. The pornographer is gratified with money, the model is gratified by the attention, and the consumer is gratified by the consuming.

There is nothing inhuman or undignified about being gratified, but gratification at the expense of anyone’s self-worth devalues everyone. The intent of pornography is not the satisfaction of artistic endeavor although a pornographer may use art to package their product; pornography has one purpose; to elicit intense sexual arousal.

Here is my question: Does a woman violate her own dignity when she offers her body for virtual consumption by anyone who can afford the magazine or video, and if more and more women offer their bodies so freely for anyone to mentally devour over and over and over again, how will society begin to interpret the purpose of the female anatomy?

TOTT