Feminism and Pornography: Sexual violence and the Feminist response

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Published: Jun 3, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.37984
Keywords:
Feminism; Pornography; Sexual Violence; Sexual Objectification; Gender Equality; Digital Ethics; Social Perceptions; Feminist Philosophy
Nikolaos Kovos
Abstract

This article examines the pervasive nature of pornography in the digital age and the ethical concerns surrounding the depiction of sexual violence, primarily directed from men toward women. The author explores how the widespread consumption of pornographic material shapes distorted social perceptions of sexual relations and contributes to the normalization of gender-based violence. By analyzing the perspectives of various feminist philosophers, the study evaluates different theoretical frameworks for understanding sexual objectification and the "speech acts" of pornography. The paper aims to synthesize these feminist critiques—ranging from liberal to radical approaches—to propose potential solutions for mitigating the harmful impacts of pornography on modern society and interpersonal relationships.

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