[MistyTiger]

Pornography is degrading of males or females, in my opinion. But the worst thing about it is that viewing it makes people want to keep viewing it until they become fullblown porno addicts. It is like a sort of mental illness. In a sense, porn is just about letting out innate animal urges. But in another sense, it is the exploitation of those urges. It takes those urges to an extreme.

[Cheesecake_Marmalade]

But the worst thing about it is that viewing it makes people want to keep viewing it until they become fullblown porno addicts.

This can be said about anything. Addictiveness is true of all vices, anywhere from work to sex, two things that are considered natural. There's internet addiction, book addiction, music addiction, video game addiction, if you can think of an activity there's probably someone doing too much of it.

[Socrates Johnson]

This can be said about anything.

There are many harmful addictions.

Some are not so harmful. I'm addicted to kayaking. I sometimes need to go out in order to feel good. I'm also addicted to reading philosophy and history.....Without it my life would feel very empty.

I think that going out in my Kayak, getting off on a wooded island, and reading philosophy is a lot healthier than many other addictions (porn or video games).

One should seek truth and beauty......That quest is quite addictive.

[Suska]

the harm is in the translation of sexual preference into social prejudice. The libido is sexist, racist, heightist, and every other -ist down to a preference in smells and speech patterns. The sex-centric cultures such as that of the pornography industry are thoroughly shallow and intensely prejudiced, the result is their products are a matter of supporting select people rather than producing statements or works of art. My main objection to pornography is not really a matter of principle but quality. The problem is that in principle such communities that place sexuality at the forefront and center of their decision making process produce half-baked garbage - its like the celebrity circuit only without pretensions to talent or storytelling.

[Socrates Johnson]

My main objection to pornography is not really a matter of principle but quality.

That's a good point. Obsession with things of low quality is often degrading to the human spirit.

[Brio]

I'm addicted to kayaking. I sometimes need to go out in order to feel good. I'm also addicted to reading philosophy and history.....Without it my life would feel very empty.

I think your definition of addiction is far too broad and a little askew. Addiction is always viewed as a negative problem in one's life.

Do you have a recurring compulsion to engage in kayaking/reading, despite harmful consequences, as deemed by yourself to your physical health, mental state or social life. This would be more in line with the definition of addiction, than your use of the word IMO.

[Socrates Johnson]

Addiction is always viewed as a negative problem in one's life.

I was thinking of a definition that goes: "Something that one has a strong desire for and that cessation of causes pain and/or sadness.

Let's see!!

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.


The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.


The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction

If porn can be an addiction I think kayaking can.......I think it's a superior sort of addiction.

Do you have a recurring compulsion to engage in kayaking/reading, despite harmful consequences, as deemed by yourself to your physical health,

Well.....My wife sometimes gets mad at me for going out which, sometimes, means I miss out on sex for awhile....That's probably stretching a point.

[Brio]

I was thinking of a definition that goes: "Something that one has a strong desire for and that cessation of causes pain and/or sadness.

The problem I have with this definition is it is taking a mostly classical definition of the word i.e. physiological dependence to something that causes withdrawal symptoms because of lack of it in the body (i.e. nicotine, heroin, benzos) and applying it to things that have no element of physiological addiction.

To show my point, going by this definition everyone is addicted to oxygen and water, as we all feel compelled to breath/drink and without such substances it will cause us great pain and eventually lead to death.

If porn can be an addiction I think kayaking can.......I think it's a superior sort of addiction.

I agree it could technically be an addiction (as can gambling, food, internet etc.). I have lost friends over MMORPG (World of Warcraft, Everquest etc.) addictions, as their entire social life died, and their physical health degraded from such a sedentary lifestyle.

However, I don't believe you personally have an 'addiction' to kayaking as it isn't very detrimental to your life/well being, that you continue to participate in regardless of such consequences. I was addicted to hard stimulants (cocaine/crack, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy) for a few years, and your bandying about the word of addiction makes it such a broad definition that it loses its meaning, as well as degrades the struggle of people with real addictions.

Admittedly, the definition of addiction is a very controversial subject that even the experts don't agree on, so I don't think we will come to a conclusion on its definition any time soon.

That's probably stretching a point.

I concur.

[Socrates Johnson]

The problem I have with this definition is it is taking a mostly classical definition of the word i.e. physiological dependence to something that causes withdrawal symptoms because of lack of it in the body (i.e. nicotine, heroin, benzos) and applying it to things that have no element of physiological addiction.

I can appreciate that.

If porn can be an addiction than I think Kayaking can.

There are some gray areas in the world of addiction as you probably know. A person can be addicted to pain pills and need them for valid reasons at the same time.....The world of opioid abuse isn't simple.

I hate benzodiazepine addictions! The poor addict loses all ability to cope with everything and becomes a chemically dependent basket-case. Many who are addicted to benzodiazepines aren't considered to be addicted by the "experts" and that's a long involved story.....There are many little old ladies addicted to Ativan and it's never pretty.

Anyhow...I'm not attempting to argue exactly what an addiction is....As you said experts don't agree.

I'd recommend going out in a kayak frequently over Ativan use almost every time.

[New2Politics]

While honourable it seems even less attainable, considering that a focus on proper outward appearance (in whatever form) is probably inherent to human nature.

Which goes back to what I was saying about standards being inevitable. Various industries exploit them for profit, but they didn't invent them; it's something we do to ourselves – no doubt part of our evolution, as certain features are markers for good health. What the industries do is make sure that we don't forget (for even a moment) how important these standards are. They beleaguer us with images of physical beauty because it's in their interest not to let us feel content with the way we look. Whether we, as a species, are capable of rising above our obsession with skin-deep beauty remains to be seen.

Pornography separates the physical aspects of sexual relationships from the intimacy, which leads to sexual objectification. It's not harmful only for the participants, but creates a warped view of sexuality for the viewer as well.

So under no circumstances should these things be seperated?

I think those who become porn-obsessed lose their appreciation of truth and beauty to a large extent.

Define truth and beauty.

[froggo]

I think those who become porn-obsessed lose their appreciation of truth and beauty to a large extent.

Why? The nude body is truthful. Beauty is relative. You are aware that there is pornography that depicts the nude body in all shapes and sizes and ages correct? You seem to be under the impression that creations like Jenna Jameson(sp?) are the only beauty obtained from pornography. This is false.

[Suska]

sex (love, porn) doesn't get easier or deeper with age, its not that philosophers don't appreciate it personally, but its capricious and can be dramatically disappointing. If you have on the other hand a deepening appreciation of life and of betterment you will continue to get more out of life whatever interests you may pursue. Learning gets easier and deeper with age, the student of life is as awkward to begin with as the philanderer is awkward in the end.

[NoRapture]

Ok, this guy checks into a hotel and says,
"The porn channel in my room better be disabled!"

To which the desk clerk answers,
"You sick bastard. It's just a regular porn channel like all the others!"

[Syd]

I don't get it.

[New2Politics]

Ok, this guy checks into a hotel and says,
"The porn channel in my room better be disabled!"

To which the desk clerk answers,
"You sick bastard. It's just a regular porn channel like all the others!"

That one's a classic.

[Socrates Johnson]

Define truth and beauty.

There are, for purposes of this discussion, two kinds of truth. The working definition for basic "truth" is "warranted assertability".

The definition of timeless truth is more elusive. Timeless truth is something that feeds the need for profound truth in us.

I'm not going to define beauty. It something that transcends temporal events and transports us.

One should seek truth and beauty.....If even one isn't sure what one is looking for.

[Socrates Johnson]

Why?

It makes something that should be spiritually profound into something mundane and sleazy.

The nude body is truthful. Beauty is relative.

Those things are true....especially the first one.

You are aware that there is pornography that depicts the nude body in all shapes and sizes and ages correct?

I suppose you're right. It doesn't change the fact that porn tends to reduce something that should be profound to something that goes like: "Do you want to see my cunt?.......I'd really like to put my long pole in it."

Surely sex should be about something more than that!!


I double posted.....Sorry....It was a mental lapse.

[New2Politics]

The definition of timeless truth is more elusive. Timeless truth is something that feeds the need for profound truth in us.

I'm not going to define beauty. It something that transcends temporal events and transports us.

One should seek truth and beauty.....If even one isn't sure what one is looking for.

That's the kind of vague, waffling answer that people always give.

You seem to be under the impression that creations like Jenna Jameson(sp?) are the only beauty obtained from pornography. This is false.

What other kind of beauty do you have in mind?

[Socrates Johnson]

That's the kind of vague, waffling answer that people always give.

I gave a very specific working definition for truth: "Waranted assertability".

Timeless truth is a poetic concept. It doesn't lend itself to pure reason.

The quest for timeless truth is sort of like the quest for the grail.

I love logic/science. I also seek poetic truth.

[NoRapture]

When I was a ten-year-old I once had a wet dream to a Three Musketeers chocolate bar. Does this mean candy bars could be porn?