Abstract

For The University of Windsor Philosophy Conference In his book, Torture and Moral Integrity, Kramer gives an account of sadomasochism, and an analysis of instances of sadomasochism that counts as either simulations of torture or torture itself. He also expounds an argument for why he thinks that acts of sadomasochism are always and everywhere morally wrong. This paper is going to examine the arguments put forth by Kramer with respect to the relationship between sadomasochism and torture. Ultimately, this paper is going to argue, based on the analysis conducted, that Kramer has a very simplistic understanding of the nature of sadomasochistic relationships, and the psychopathy of sexual sadists. This simplistic understanding of sadomasochism leads him to his very brash and crude conclusions about the morality of sadomasochism, and his representation of some of their acts as instances of torture. This is going to be done by expounding on and analyzing Staci Newmahr’s distinction between positive pain and negative pain. Furthermore, this paper is also going to distinguish between and analyze the classes of sadists expounded by Anil Aggrawal in Forensic and Medico-legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and Unusual Sexual Practices. This paper explores a very important subject, because the sadomasochistic community is a sexually marginalized and a misunderstood community, and so if someone is going to proceed to label some actions of the community as torture and all ordeals that take place within the community as morally wrong, then that person must have a deep understanding of the complexities of the community, which Kramer does not have. Thus, this paper will explore and analyze the complex nature of sadomasochism, and subsequently reject a majority of the claims that Kramer makes about sadomasochism. KeyWords: Sadomasochism, Torture, Kramer, Postive pain, Negative Pain, Psychopathy.