Pornography, equality, and evolutionary psychology

Abstract

Pornography appears to give rise to a conflict between two fundamental rights: the right to free speech and expression and the right to equal respect and concern. Pornography is inseparably tied with the right to freedom of expression. To ban pornography is to violate the right to freedom of expression. But pornography is a type of expression that subordinates women. To allow pornography to exist undermines women's right to equal respect. Liberals want to uphold both the right to freedom of expression and the right to equal respect. But it appears that pornography will not allow them to do this. I attempt to solve the problem of pornography for the liberal. My central argument will be that a ban on pornography will not insure that the right to equal respect is upheld because a ban on pornography will result in the subordination of men. This claim will be defended with a Marxist argument that uses premises from evolutionary psychology. I will conclude that the liberal state can uphold both the right to freedom of expression and the right to equal respect.