Pornography was discussed in a lecture by Leigh Viner, adjunct philosophy lecturer.

Viner presented a lecture on pornography and the aesthetics of embodiment to the IU Southeast Philosophy Club on March 11 in the IUS Library.

She’s been invited to present the same lecture at a Virginia Tech colloquium in April.

Many of the IUS faculty she spoke with asked if she would be showing visual aids during her lecture.

“Real porn … proved to be too daunting,” she said.

She focused on pornographic film rather than other mediums such as books and photography.

She began by outlining the philosophical debates centered on pornography. She said the chief discussions throughout history have been centered on moral and political issues while another philosophical debate focuses on the aesthetic analysis.

The moral and political debate focuses on issues of oppression, degradation, exploration and censorship. The aesthetic debate focuses primarily on the relationship between pornography and erotic art.

Viner explained the philosophy that Jerrold Levinson, professor of philosophy at the University of Maryland, College Park, takes on the aesthetic analysis of pornography.

Viner explained Levinson’s definition of pornography by calling it “the boner test.”

The boner test, using Levinson’s logic, is if you’re viewing something commonly known as erotic or risqué and you become aroused with a boner, then you’re viewing pornography rather than art.

“Not only has Levinson failed to demonstrate that sexual arousal is incompatible with aesthetic engagement, but the ability of work to create such arousal is exactly what gives pornography its aesthetic value,” Viner said.

Viner said most porn isn’t widely recognized, making a sufficient case for its aesthetic value difficult.

She said unless porn has become an Internet meme like the “lemon party” or “two girls and a cup,” or unless it has crossover success like “deepthroat,” it isn’t going to be commonly recognizable.

Viner said porn works best when it’s like pop-songs — brief and easily forgettable.

Wesley Chambers, philosophy senior, offered a counter position to the pop-song comparison during a discussion portion of the lecture.

“There are some of the well known producers that have increased their production value,” he said.

Viner responded. “Human beings like to have sex,” she said, “and many human beings like to view humans having sex. Now let’s have a tickle-fight.”

By MATTHEW CHINN

Staff Writer

mchinn@umail.iu.edu