'Guilty' pleasures are often worthwhile pleasures. Issue 1 (1st March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cooke, Brandon
• Is Part Of: Journal of Scandinavian cinema. Volume 9:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2019-03-01
• Subjects: Motion pictures -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 791.43094805
• DOI: 10.1386/jsca.9.1.105_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-7891

Abstract

A guilty pleasure is something that affords pleasure while being held in low regard. Since there are more opportunities to experience worthwhile pleasures than one can experience in a finite life, it would be better to avoid guilty pleasures. Worse still, many guilty pleasures are thought to be corrupting in some way. In fact, many so-called guilty pleasures can contribute to a good life, because they are sources of pleasure and because they do not actually merit guilt. Taking pornography as a case study, I argue that in the absence of compelling evidence for its harmfulness, pornography can contribute to well-being by promoting autonomy, social recognition, knowledge and flourishing personal relationships. The case of pornography demonstrates an argumentative strategy for defending many so-called guilty pleasures as worthwhile elements of a flourishing life.