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Table 2 Overview of the arguments and counterarguments that prostitution is harmful

From: In pursuit of goodness in bioethics: analysis of an exemplary article

Argument (that prostitution is harmful)

Counterargument

The correlation with psychological problems argument

P1: That which leads to psychological problems is harmful.

P2: Prostitution leads to psychological problems.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

Correlation is not causation: Correlation alone is not sufficient to conclude that prostitution leads to psychological problems. (Analogy of homosexuality)

The correlation with danger argument

P1: That which is dangerous is harmful.

P2: Prostitution is dangerous.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

Correlation is not causation: Correlation alone is not sufficient to conclude that prostitution leads to harm. (Analogy of homosexuality)

The objectification argument

P1: That which involves objectification is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves objectification.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

It is not clear that prostitution involves objectification. Even if it does, the objectification might not be of a harmful sort. (Analogy of marriage and newspaper delivery man)

The exploitation argument

P1: That which involves exploitation is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves exploitation.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

Some studies show that prostitutes earn more than other women in the same group. Some studies show that pimps do not earn very much. Exploitation exists in other businesses as well. (Analogy of luxury prostitute)

The male dominance argument

P1: That which involves male dominance is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves male dominance.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

Prostitution does not necessarily involve male dominance. Calling prostitution ‘degrading’ begs the question rather than showing it to be harmful.

The economic dominance argument

P1: That which involves economic dominance is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves economic dominance.

C: Prostitution is harmful

Economic dominance (in various forms) is common, and not specific to prostitution. (Analogies of grocery store owner, drug dealer, air traveler, hamburger buyer)

The selling one’s body argument

P1: That which involves selling one’s body is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves selling one’s body.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

Many other professionals also sell their body without thereby necessarily being harmed. (Analogy of counsellors, dancers, masseuses, sumo wrestlers, football players, colonoscopy ‘artists’)

The habitual faking argument

P1: That which involves habitual faking is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves habitual faking.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

There are limits to how much faking is required. (Analogy of actress)

The selling one’s soul argument

P1: That which involves selling one’s soul is harmful.

P2: Prostitution involves selling one’s soul.

C: Prostitution is harmful.

The argument does not hold on basis of accepting the weak significance view of sex (without evidence). (Analogy of friendship and philosophy professor)