Understanding the Appeal of Sadism in BDSM Practices
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Chapter 1: Defining Sadism vs. Cruelty
The terms 'sadism' and 'cruelty' are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct concepts. Cruelty involves causing suffering without empathy, while sadism is about finding pleasure in pain within a consensual, erotic framework.
The term 'sadist' is derived from Donatien de Sade, or the Marquis de Sade, a French nobleman known for his philosophical writings on nihilism and his enjoyment of inflicting and receiving pain. He engaged in activities such as flogging and rough sex, embodying both sadism and masochism—a dynamic now referred to as a 'switch' in modern BDSM parlance. Although his activities were consensual by today's standards, he faced prosecution and imprisonment, during which he authored many works. Notably, he was confined in the Bastille during the French Revolution.
Confusion between sadism and cruelty arises from the misinterpretation of pain as suffering, a topic I previously examined in an article titled "Pain Is Not Suffering."
Chapter 2: Investigating Sadistic Motivations
In exploring the motivations behind sadism, it's essential to note the scarcity of scientific studies directly addressing this question. Most research on BDSM focuses on its three primary components: bondage, dominance/submission, and sadomasochism, which often overlap.
Sadomasochism involves one partner, the sadist (or top), administering pain to the other, the masochist (or bottom). This pain can be physical—such as spanking and flogging—or emotional, encompassing humiliation and psychological manipulation. Various practices, including orgasm control and rough sex, also fall under sadomasochism.
Fetlife.com serves as a community hub for individuals interested in BDSM, akin to a niche social media platform. To deepen our understanding, I conducted two surveys on this site, aimed at uncovering the motivations of masochists and sadists alike. The findings from the masochist surv