Dark Eros: The Imagination of Sadism

by Thomas Moore

The author of the National Bestsellers Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and The Soul of Sex turns to the shadow side of loving and its cruelties, perversions, and appalling tortures. In Dark Eros, Thomas Moore shines a new light on the dark fictions of the Marquis de Sade to learn what they teach about the horrors hidden in the human heart, revealing the poetic and imaginitive powers that lie within violence and sexual victimization. By returning to the paradox of ancient medicine—the cause of a disease is its very cure—Thomas Moore opens the way through sadism that affects family, education, love affairs, the work place and politics.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Sexuality, BDSM, Theory, Erotica

202 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling book, Care of the Soul, Ageless Soul, and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, psychotherapy, and the arts. He lectures frequently in Ireland and has a special love of Irish culture. He has Ph.D. in religion from Syracuse University and has won several awards for his work, including an honorary doctorate from Lesley University and the Humanitarian Award from Einstein Medical School of Yeshiva University. He also has a B.A. in music from DePaul University, an M.A. in musicology from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in theology from the University of Windsor. He also writes fiction and music and often works with his wife, artist and yoga instructor, Hari Kirin. He writes regular columns for Resurgence and Spirituality & Health.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided ripe insight into the darker nature of humanity by using arguably one of the darkest yet well expressed souls, that of Marquis de Sade. Instead of feeding into the dualistic nature of our world and classifying the bad as separate from the good, one can perceive them as of the same nature, each with its rightful place. Enabling the acceptance of the shadow elements can provide insight that might otherwise have been repressed only to manifest in another, more destructive form. Great book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard a presentation Moore gave at Notre Dame a few years ago. He said his project was to convince people that the Marquis de Sade was the most important philosopher of modern times. That seems like a tough row to hoe, but that's what Moore sets out to do in Dark Eros. Using what he calls the “Sadeian imagination,” Moore challenges readers to look squarely at their own “unfathomable and revolting truths.” Moore argues this is a moral obligation because such truths, when repressed or ignored, assert themselves in violence. The task, then, is “to imagine evil in ways that don't destroy us.”

As a practical matter, I'm not sure what that means. I think at the very least it means that in fantasy, anything goes, and in some cases it may be possible to imagine acting out what society deems “evil” in ways that are not only not harmful, but may move one closer to psychic wholeness. Moore might be thinking of artistic and literary representations of what society deems depravities, which is one route the divine Marquis took.

While the “evil” Moore concentrates on is forbidden eroticism, the analysis applies to any instinct. Moore's point seems to be that one should try to consciously and responsibly integrate those “evil” urges into daily life and thereby achieve a richer and more meaningful existence.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My head is still reeling from this book!

By using the writings of Sade, the author explores reasons for our inability to cope with so many aspects of Life today. For everyone who has felt that the world was becoming an increasingly horrible place with tragedies descending upon us from all sides, this is a must-read book for internal contemplation. However, it will only have impact if preconceived judgments can be left behind.

The writer states, "Our intentions tend toward the virtuous, while deeper desire inclines toward the dark." It is the denial of dark thoughts, of the desire to shut them out completely and hold others in contempt who fall prey to them, that causes us to feel out of balance and unfulfilled. Understand, the author is not suggesting that we embrace Sade's fantasies and take them literally. But, denial of the shadow that dwells within each of us causes discontent, dissatisfaction, torment or feelings of obligation and hatred that need not control our thoughts.

The solution, according to Thomas Moore, is to "Take these images deep into reflection, see yourself in them, and find ways to invite them subtly into life." This means coming to an appreciation that the darkness exists around us and within us, and that it will require struggle to establish and maintain the balance we want to achieve.

It was astonishing to see all of the Sadeian influences the author found ... politics, education, entertainment, business, religion, psychotherapy and parenting. When people are overwhelmed by these influences, they are unable to understand why all of these bad things are happening. "Why does God allow this?" However, nature can have a cruel edge to it, and understanding that and preparing a response can permit adjustment.

The majority of people shun self-reflection and introspection. Many say it is due to a lack of time in an increasingly hectic Life, yet there is also a concern about what we will find if we "flip that rock over and take a close look at what dwells underneath." It is not pleasant, but ignoring it allows it to have enormous power when it chooses to reveal itself at a time of its design. The author offers some guidance on how to prepare for those moments.

"The Divine Marquis" had lessons to teach. Were they literal ones? Probably not. There is no evidence that he engaged in the majority of travesties he wrote about other than in his fevered mind. We can also come to terms with our own travesties ... regarding them, understanding them, putting them in their proper place, and coloring them with the essence of the Life we want to live.

I highly recommend this book. Just be prepared to be disturbed.

[Brenden Steltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I first read this book, but I remember being blown away by the insight this book provided into the causes of abuse and deviant behavior. It's one of the only books I have ever read that provides a plausible explanation for the unthinkable behavior that human beings sometimes exhibit. It's a brilliant and liberating exploration of the shadow.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems to apologize more for the subject matter than to truly explore it. Quite interesting, yet didn't seem to go deep enough for a full exploration.

[Barbora Jirincova · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. The Care of the Soul was great. Here, some of the thoughts vere inspirational, but it could have been much shorter. And the language was too complicated. Foremost, I think that the author gives too much credit to something what I would call just simple, little perverted, funny literature. Any work of art could have been interpreted in this way and elevated to mythology. I understand that the author needed some material, so that he could ulustrate his thoughts and this one was more than fitting, but all the same. I will definitely read some more books by Moore, because I see his approach to human psychology as highly inspirational but this one just was not for me.

[dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting introduction to Marquis de Sade.

One of the final chapters, the one that speaks about women & the anima, is very tangential & seems to come from a place of emotion & personal feeling rather than research & critical thinking. This chapter detracted from the rest of the book, considering how thoughtful most other chapters are. This chapter seemed to have little editing, & presents scarily harmful ideas.

The rest if the book was a very fun, interesting read.

[Angellica Skrinos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if not a bit disturbing.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold. Straightens out & weaves together the threads of sex, power, religion, suffering, therapy, desire, and cancel culture roots. We love a fishtail braid.

[Möwgli Skräp · Rating 5 out of 5]

genius ✨

[EIJANDOLUM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eros puts on his uniform of sexuality to give desire some ritualistic & symbolic play. But it is not always easy to appreciate the power and depth of desire.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the Marquis de Sade as a conduit for an Underworld mythology.

[kimberly_rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't call it an "astonishing" book (blurbs that outrageously self-praise are as repulsive as people who do it), but it certainly is fascinating, fresh, and full of mature "whole-person" beliefs.

Moore is consistent; his popular Care of the Soul book speaks about accepting all of ourselves, "problems" included, things we fear, don't like, think wrong included. This book projects the same idea: as a archetype therapist (and a student of J. Hillman), he presents Sade's characters as archetypes, comparing them to the gods and goddesses of other religions, such as Greek and Roman, Christian and Buddhist. It's a compelling argument, seeing the libertines and masochists of Sade's stories lined up to the classic characters of well-known religions, instead of seeing them as real people, which makes them almost impossible to relate to, since they are one-level representations.

A zeal for fearful imaginings of "evil" and "darkness" lie within us all, Moore says, and acknowledging these feelings and thoughts are not the same as acting intentionally cruel or harmful toward another. Accepting, without shame, all of ourselves gives us permission to explore and take back our power rather than have these dark sides of ourselves repressed--that's when they become something unbiddable.

Sometimes Moore waxes way too philosophical, losing his own point in a plethora of what-the-fuckery lines piled on top of solid ideas, but overall, this was an accessible book. I'll never see the Marquis de Sade the same.

[Patricia]

Taking it slow with this book, because it is an intense, I read almost half before deciding I'd had enough. It is an eye-opening consideration, so I definitely developed a better understanding of how "imaginative power lies within violence and sexual victimization." My therapist actually loaned me this books when I was struggling to write about the sexual missteps of a character. She was right on in suggesting the book, for it help me develop greater sympathy for him. Since that was my primary purpose, I didn't feel it was necessary to finish reading the book book. I don't enjoy delving into the dark side, despite recognizing it is a vital part of each of us. So a dollop sufficed.

[Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about the Marquis de Sade and his work. Thomas Moore does a depth psychological re-reading/interpretation of de Sade's work with fascinating results.
For a person doing shadow work in therapy or by themselves or people who are generally attracted to knowledge of the "backside" of human nature it is a must read.

[Andrea Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very psychoanalytical book into the dark and even evil methods of love. Almost a way to see that without evil, good would be unnecessary. I found this book fascinating and will probably read some parts of it again, but not all of it. It will make me look at evil characters in book differently now.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

one of many books by TM that I have read.