Teledildonics and New Ways of "Being in Touch": A Phenomenological Analysis of the Use of Haptic Devices for Intimate Relations

Sci Eng Ethics. 2017 Jun;23(3):801-823. doi: 10.1007/s11948-016-9827-5. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse teledildonics from a phenomenological perspective in order to show the possible effects they will have on ourselves and on our society. The new way of using digital technologies is to merge digital activities with our everyday praxes, and there are already devices which enable subjects to be digitally connected in every moment of their lives. Even the most intimate ones are becoming mediated by devices such as teledildonics which digitally provide a tactual stimulation allowing users to have sexual intercourse through them. The efforts made in order to provide such an intertwinement of our everyday lives and digital technologies are evident, but the effects produced by them are not clear at all. This paper will analyse these technologies from a phenomenological perspective in order to understand their effects on the constitution of the subjects and on our society at the intimate level.

Keywords: Hyperconnectivity; Mixed reality; Phenomenology; Post-phenomenology; Sex; Teledildonics.

MeSH terms

  • Computers / ethics*
  • Computers / trends
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Sexual Behavior* / psychology
  • Telecommunications / ethics
  • Telecommunications / instrumentation*
  • Touch