Thoughts on [[wp:sadism]] follow. I am part of a discussion group and a recent topic branched off into a discussion of [[e2:sadism]] that turned kind of, well, stupid. Since no discussion of the topic will be allowed on that list for the moment, I am posting my replies and thoughts here. I have had to edit and paraphrase to avoid violating anyone privacy.

Comments intended for post 10/27/2004 by me

[ someone commented that sadism should not be ‘legitimized’ by even discussing it as if it was part of D/s because it is a ‘pathology’ of seeing others as existing only as playthings ]

Of course sadism is part of D/s. Well, more specifically sadism is part of BDSM. Hell, the word is even embodied in the freaking acronym. Much of the things involved in BDSM activities can be viewed as pathologies depending on how and where someone chooses to draw the line.

As for sadism needing to be “legitimized” it doesn’t need to be – it >IS< completely legitimate. I like seeing pretty girls hurt. I like seeing them hurt by my hand and I REALLY like it when it alters how they respond and act. It is legitimate because I find it so… I certainly need no one else’s leave for this.

Of course, sadism also doesn’t by definition include viewing others as “nothing but objects to be used”.

• “The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional abuse on others.”
• “The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.”
• “Extreme cruelty.”

Other definitions I found include…

• “The act or an instance of deriving sexual gratification from infliction of pain on others.”
• “A psychological disorder in which sexual gratification is derived from infliction of pain on others.”
• “a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain on others”

Hmm… no, I don’t see anything in there that requires one to have a lack of empathy for others or to dehumanize others – though of course those are common for heavy sadists.

Me? Personally I have a fairly low level of empathy. I don’t, in general’ find other peoples feelings or goals nearly as important as my own nor do I commonly feel connected to them. For the most part other people just don’t seem as “real” as I do.

Does this make me a sadist? You betcha. Does this make me a serial killer? No. Does it make me “on profile” as a potential rapist or serial killer? Hell yeah. But then again so would being a extreme religious fanatic and I am not one of them.

So before we get all high and mighty on the term, remember – us pathological types not only live among you… but your girlfriend probably masturbates thinking about us while your reading how to be a dominant in BDSM 101.

Soulhuntre
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