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Definition of pornography

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"We define pornography as the graphic sexually explicit subordination of women through pictures and words that also includes (i) women are presented dehumanized as sexual objects, things, or commodities; or (ii) women are presented as sexual objects who enjoy humiliation or pain; or (iii) women are presented as sexual objects experiencing sexual pleasure in rape, incest or other sexual assault; or (iv) women are presented as sexual objects tied up, cut up or mutilated or bruised or physically hurt; or (v) women are presented in postures or positions of sexual submission, servility, or display; or (vi) women's body parts — including but not limited to vaginas, breasts, or buttocks — are exhibited such that women are reduced to those parts; or (vii) women are presented being penetrated by objects or animals; or (viii) women are presented in scenarios of degradation, humiliation, injury, torture, shown as filthy or inferior, bleeding, bruised, or hurt in a context that makes these conditions sexual."[1]

MacKinnon (partially) defines pornography as “graphic sexually explicit subordination of women”. MacKinnon is quoted in her book Toward a Feminist Theory of the State “Pornography, in the feminist view, is a form of forced sex, a practice of sexual politics, and institution of gender inequality.”[2] MacKinnon chooses a few points to focus on specifically. She focuses on the sexual exploitation of women in order to show their inferiority by dehumanizing them, and displaying them as sexual objects, things or commodities. She states that any display of women enjoying humiliation or pain should be a violation of the law. MacKinnon is quoted in Toward a Feminist Theory of the State as saying “Pornography contributes causally to attitudes and behaviors of violence and discrimination which define the treatment and status of half the population.”[3] MacKinnon also focuses on women being reduced to their parts (vaginas, breasts, or buttocks’). This is a central part of her argument of dehumanization, as women are simply seen as the sum of their parts, and their parts are simply sexual objects, things, or commodities for men.

From Toward A Feminist Theory of the State

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MacKinnon believes that gender is sexual, and because pornography sets a standard of male dominance and sexual oppression against women, pornography is an institution of gender inequality.[4] MacKinnon goes as far as relating pornography to slavery, and the issue of human trafficking: “It is a technologically sophisticated traffic in women.”[5] MacKinnon states that pornography is an industry that mass produces sexual intrusion on, access to, possession and use of women by and for men for profit.” [6] She believes in pornography as an exploitation of women’s sexuality.[7] MacKinnon adds to her beliefs of pornography by claiming that it contributes to violence and discrimination against women. Because of this discrimination, she believes that pornography defines the treatment and the status of women.[8]

On the Law of Obscenity (in Toward a Feminist Theory of the State)

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The Law of Obscenity, as defined by MacKinnon, is the state’s approach to addressing the pornography problem. She states that the state views this as an issue of regulation of expression under the First Amendment, but MacKinnon disagrees with this view. The Law of Obscenity is concerned with morality, “good and evil, virtues and vices.”[9] MacKinnon argues that Feminism approaches pornography from a political standpoint, while the obscenity law focuses on morality. “The concerns of feminism with power and powerlessness are first political, not moral.” [10] MacKinnon states that obscenity is about morality, and pornography is “a political practice.” [11]

References

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  1. ^ West, Caroline. "Pornography and Censorship". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  2. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 197.
  3. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 196.
  4. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 197.
  5. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 195.
  6. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 195.
  7. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 195.
  8. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 196.
  9. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 196.
  10. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 196.
  11. ^ MacKinnon, Catharine (1998). Toward A Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. p. 196.
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Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: (plato.stanford.edu/entries/pornography-censorship/)

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharine_Mackinnon

Toward A Feminist Theory of the State:

MacKinnon, Catharine A. Toward a Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1989. Print.

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