Helen Longino's "Pornography, Oppression and Freedom"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Helen Longino argues in her article "Pornography, Oppression and Freedom: A Closer Look" that pornography by its nature is harmful to women and should be controlled and eliminated. The author maintains that Longino bases this position on tenuous distinctions between pornography and erotica and on the liberal use of universal claims about the effect that pornography has on women and their place in society. The paper contends that, despite her superficially well-reasoned article, a closer examination of Longino's claims and analysis reveals problems that undermine her argument. The paper then asserts that pornography cannot be considered necessarily and categorically harmful to women. The paper concludes that the marginal harm that pornography might cause in isolated incidents is not great enough to justify banning pornography and restricting this form of sexual expression.

From the Paper:

"Longino argues that these harms are cause enough to invoke laws and regulations that would limit freedom of expression and sexual expression. But are these harms entirely plausible? Is the potential for these harms to be realized justification enough to ban pornography. F.M. Christensen would say no, that efforts to ban pornography through limitations on freedoms--especially freedom of expression--is reprehensible and much more harmful to society than the potential ills of pornography. On this point, I agree with Christensen."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Longino, Helen E. "Pornography, Oppression and Freedom: A Closer Look." Take Back the Night: Women on Pornography. Ed. Laura Lederer. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1980. 40-54.

More papers on Helen Longino's "Pornography, Oppression and Freedom":

• Book Review # 132646 : "Longino and Porn: A Troublesome Position"
• Argumentative Essay # 119318 : "Pornography, Crime, and the Decline of Morality"
• Book Review # 118250 : "Imperialism and Freedom in "Heart of Darkness"

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