Why Pornography Can't Be Art

Philosophy and Literature 33 (1):193-203 (2009)
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Abstract

Claims that pornography cannot be art typically depend on controversial claims about essential value differences (moral, aesthetic) between pornography and art. In this paper, I offer a value-neutral exclusionary claim, showing pornography to be descriptively at odds with art. I then show how my view is an improvement on similar claims made by Jerrold Levinson. Finally I draw parallels between art and pornography and art and advertising as well as show that my view is consistent with our typical usage of the term “pornographic art.”.

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Christy Mag Uidhir
University of Houston

Citations of this work

Pornography, ethics, and video games.Stephanie Patridge - 2013 - Ethics and Information Technology 15 (1):25-34.
Drawing the Line: Art versus Pornography.Hans Maes - 2011 - Philosophy Compass 6 (6):385-397.
Review of T he Art Instinct.Mohan Matthen - 2011 - Canadian Journal of Philosophy 41 (2):337-356.

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References found in this work

Erotic art and pornographic pictures.Jerrold Levinson - 2005 - Philosophy and Literature 29 (1):228-240.

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