Hi,
Merleau-Ponty did address sexuality in The Phenomeonology of Perception.
But only in short section. And it was certainly not adequately theorized
in terms of his perspective. I think you're both right (Michael and
Richard, I believe)--desire as a intentional modality is not limited to
the visual. It would be illuminating to compare experiential accounts of
desire from people who do not so much rely on visual stimuli, aesthetics,
cues, imaginings, discourses, etc. When using other senses (and, of
course, their imaginings, discourses, etc.) employed in the service of
desire--how are ideals of attractive voices (deep, husky, throaty),
epidermal surfaces (soft, silky), etc. socioculturally constructed?
Would your blind friend, who decides to date a woman by the sound of her
voice, date someone with a speech impediment? A genetic skin disorder?
Assuming that at some point in the development of an intimate
relationship body touching body would occur. Experiential modalities of
desire and tyrannies of desirous ideals are not restriced to the visual.
Bye for now,
Russell Shuttleworth
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