Nine-tenths of the appeal of pornography is due to the indecent feelings concerning sex which moralists inculcate in the young; the other tenth is physiological, and will occur in one way or another whatever the state of the law may be.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Most interest in pornography comes from moral teachings that make sex feel indecent, while a smaller part is purely physical and will happen regardless of laws.
- In plain terms
- Moral shame drives most porn appeal; some of it is just biology.
- What can you take from it?
- Sexual attitudes are shaped by culture as much as by biology.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do cultural norms affect sexual desire?
- Can law truly curb physiological urges?
Another view
It oversimplifies by assuming the same proportion applies universally.
More from Bertrand Russell
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind…
Permalink to quote #103 Even in civilized mankind faint traces of a monogamous instinct can sometimes be perceived.
Permalink to quote #105 Children must be under authority, and are themselves aware that they must be, although they like to play a game of rebellion at times. The case of children is …
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