
Contents
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Thought and Action Thought and Action
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Masturbation Masturbation
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Fantasies During Sex (With Others) Fantasies During Sex (With Others)
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On Being the Object of Others’ Fantasies On Being the Object of Others’ Fantasies
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“What evil lurks . . .” “What evil lurks . . .”
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“A Child Is Being Beaten” “A Child Is Being Beaten”
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Thinking Versus Doing Thinking Versus Doing
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I—SHOULD WE SEEK TO CONTROL OUR FANTASY LIVES? I—SHOULD WE SEEK TO CONTROL OUR FANTASY LIVES?
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II—EVEN ASSUMING THERE IS GOOD REASON TO THINK WE SHOULD SEEK TO CONTROL OUR FANTASY LIVES, CAN WE? II—EVEN ASSUMING THERE IS GOOD REASON TO THINK WE SHOULD SEEK TO CONTROL OUR FANTASY LIVES, CAN WE?
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Epilogue Epilogue
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Cite
Abstract
This chapter explores the ethics of fantasy. It begins with a discussion of the contrast between thought and action in ethical theory. It then turns to masturbation, and to fantasies that may emerge during sex with others, and to fantasies that include actual others, and to fantasies that get embodied in pornography. It argues that fantasies in themselves may do no harm, even if their content is appalling rather than ultimately innocent—it is the underlying desires, and not the fantasies, that lead to action. But it must be acknowledged and emphasized that fantasies, like symptoms, may reflect potent desires rather than ineffectual wishes. What may be truly difficult is distinguishing between fantasies which serve as harmless safety valves and fantasies which should be taken as symptoms, as warning signs. But even in the latter case one should not mistake the warning for the problem and try to suppress that which might serve, if only the warning were heeded, to prevent real harm.
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