Re: [UUPoly-L] Stirring the cultural cauldron

["CWLee" <cwlee@post.harvard.edu>]

<wabaldwin@aol.com> wrote:

> ...did I miss a definition of "pornography?"
>
> If someone did define it here, what was it?
>
> How do we tell "erotica" from "pornography?"

For us to communicate clearly we DO need better definitions,
not just of "pornography" and "erotica" but also of other
value-charged terms being used in this discussion, such as:

"Objectification", as in "objectifies women".  If
pornography (however defined) objectifies women, I wonder if
professional sports objectifies men, or politics objectifies
candidates?  Is this good/bad/neutral, or does it depend on
the individual case and/or the axe one wants to grind?

"Exploitation", as in "exploits women".  Do employers
exploit employees, teachers exploit students, or advertisers
exploit consumers?  Again, when do we condem it, when do we
praise it, when do we shrug our shoulders?

"Debasement", as in "debases women".  Does affirmative
action debase the group it seeks to benefit?  Does giving a
dollar to a begging wino debase him?

Just food for thought, with the interest of improving our
understanding of each other.

Best regards to all, Chuck Lee.
----------
CWLee
Still kissing women, hoping for the perfect frog.