The Impact of Pornography Use on Generalized Habit Formation

Abstract

Pornography use at problematic levels of consumption can create adverse outcomes affecting the volitional capacities of the user. A literature review examines this impact involving the physiological and psychological experience of the pornography user. The findings from this review support a philosophical analysis of pornography use that adopts a Thomistic anthropology to evaluate habit formation in the user. This evaluation demonstrates that the user acquires various habits orienting the user to regard others with objectification. Moreover, the will becomes ordered to an egocentric self-love that treats others as objects. The acquired habits and the egocentric shaping of will converge into a unifying influence that structures the relational orientation of the pornography user in a way incompatible with fulfilling the claims and demands of interpersonal justice.