Porn - Philosophy for Everyone: How to Think With Kink

Philosophy for Everyone #30

by Fritz Allhoff, Gram Ponante (Foreword), Dave Monroe (Editor)

This anthology takes the ever-controversial discussion of pornography out of solely academic circles; it expands the questions about porn that academics might tackle and opens the conversation to those who know it best—the creators and users of porn.

* Features essays on non-traditional issues in porn, including celebrity sex tapes, virtual sex, S&M, homosexual porn, and technology’s impact on the porn industry

* Features fascinating insights from psychologists, a lawyer, and an English professor, as well as industry insiders such as Dylan Ryder

* A fun, entertaining, and philosophically provocative approach to pornography, written for the general reader

Genres: Sexuality, Philosophy, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2010

Reviews

[Icey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the key themes of the book is the idea that BDSM and kink can be used as therapeutic tools to address issues such as trauma, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Aaron discusses the ways in which these practices can help individuals process and work through emotional pain, and how they can foster greater self-awareness and self-acceptance.

The book also addresses important issues related to consent, communication, and safety in BDSM and kink relationships. Dr. Aaron emphasizes the importance of informed consent and negotiation, and provides practical advice for establishing clear boundaries and communicating effectively with partners.

Overall, "How to Think with Kink" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the philosophical and psychological dimensions of BDSM and kink. The book provides a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on these practices, and offers important insights into their potential as tools for personal growth and healing.

[Georgia Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few of these essays didn’t quite hit the mark but that’s to be expected in any anthology. For the most part this was a well written and interesting exploration of both commonly and less frequently discussed aspects of porn

[Teddy Curle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you didn't rate it five stars you're too dumb to read this

[Athena Macmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text book so interesting that even though I only borrowed it from the library to use one chapter for an essay, I ended up reading the whole thing.

Brought to you by the same series that includes other "Philosophy for Everyone" titles such as:
Christmas: Better than a lump of coal;
Hunting: In Search of the Wild Life;
Tattoos: I Ink Therefore I am; and
Cannabis: What Were We Just Talking About?

This is not a text book for everyone, and I feel it requires a certain detachment to the subject matter in order to read it. This book covers multiple perspectives, from radical feminists who feel pornography should be entirely banned, to liberals who feel some forms of pornography serve an important purpose in society from education to a sexual outlet for those who will never experience a sexual partner in their lifetime. It includes a full range of articles, written by anthropologists theorising on how advances in technology such as virtual reality and robotics could later replace human on human interactions and eventually lead to negative population growth; to porn stars themselves defending their 'art' in the name of sexual brashness and defying societal norms.

Taking a very matter of fact approach, there is a lot in this book that could be potentially deemed as offensive; but at the same time it is clearly an educational resource and not an excuse for thinly veiled erotica as some other texts on this subject could potentially fall prey to. Excellent resource and fascinating read.