Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-216) and index.

"In this defense of pornography from a utilitarian-hedonist perspective, philosopher Alan Soble strongly rebuts both feminist and conservative criticism. Soble demonstrates that neither conservative nor feminist critics of pornography show much acquaintance with the genre they criticize, suggesting that purely political motives underlie their critiques instead of reasoned, objective arguments based on thorough empirical research." "Soble also faults critics of pornography for their failure of empathy: Taking a literal approach to pornographic images, they refuse to recognize that viewers see the images from different perspectives. By insisting that these images be taken literally, detractors promulgate the worst possible interpretation of pornography. Further, they do not do justice to the social and psychological research about pornography and its purported harms. Critics manufacture their case against pornography and its consumers based on over-simplified interpretations of the images and a poor understanding of the scientific studies." "This researched and well-reasoned critique of feminist and conservative moral outrage over pornography provides food for thought for philosophers, jurists, scholars, and anyone interested in this controversial issue."--Jacket.

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