Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons^™

Two Cheers For Pornography, Steven Sanders

Bridgewater Review

The existence of pornography from the earliest times and in virtually every culture attests to a remarkable universality and persistence. Of course, popularity is no proof of legitimacy. How, if at all, can pornography be justified? This question has no easy answer. Indeed, if one may judge from the controversy, consensus is far from being reached on the question of pornography. I shall suggest some things that can be said in favor of pornography, though I am by no means giving my unqualified endorsement - hence, only two cheers for pornography. Naturally, I expect some readers to disagree with me, …