I recently commented on a news report posted by Newsy about a predator who used pornography as a manual for torturing his victim. I got several responses by people who couldn't distinguish the difference between pornography and normal sexual activity. I found this very disturbing so I must elaborate on what I understand are the boundaries of morality in this matter.
First remember that you can do what ever you want as long as your decisions are informed and consensual.
Consent is more complicated than you think. It doesn't only extend to just one other individual, but a multitude of individuals in the future who may be affected by your decision, such as future sexual partners of your immediate sexual partner, and overall health care expenses accrued by local medical facilities, and the health insurance industry as a whole which may affect your taxes.
Morality is founded on empathy and fairness. If you can see from the perspective of other people and imagine with some accuracy how your decisions will affect them, congratulations, your are not a Sociopath.
If on the other hand you post pics of your ex-girlfriend on 4chan, you can be considered a Sociopath.
If you coerce people into sexually explicit performances or activity by exploiting their economic fragility or by seizing and withholding their personal property such as a passport or other valuables, you may be considered a human trafficker under international law.
The term "pornography" should be applied to any media that depicts person or persons who did not consent to participation in a controversial activity.
The term "art" should be applied to any media depicting persons in any activity with full consent by all parties involved to the activity and its publication.
So therein lies the difference between art and pornography.
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