Voyeurism – ethical issues reconsidred
VOYEURISM – ETHICAL ISSUES RECONSIDRED
CLEMENS THORNQUIST, 2017
Voyeurism can be distinguished from most other research methods by the fact that it is considered to be inherently unethical, in terms of its involving both sexually deviant behaviour and cultural exoticism. However, voyeurism connects fundamental elements in many observation-based research methods in several ways. For example, it relates to curiosity, a strong desire to know or learn something; to interest, the quality of exciting curiosity or holding attention; to imitation, in the sense of using someone or something as a model; to sympathy in terms of an understanding between people.
Moreover, voyeurism is participatory, it is an engaged participating interest, in which every modality of the body works together. At the same time, voyeurism as a research method involves participating and reflecting from a distance, without interfering with the object investigated. As such, voyeurism connects participatory research methods with observation-based ones through the voyeur being both a participating subject and an observer – both present and absent – and connecting a framework of qualities such as perception, conception, and knowing-through-action.
In this work I try to show both the necessity and power of a general, asexual voyeurism at work in learning about and understanding anything at all about the socially interactive world. It tries to demonstrate different aspects of voyeurism as a method and tool for generating dynamic and complex participatory observations and visualisations, in order to form different interactions. In conclusion, the work argues for voyeurism as a necessary methodological perspective in research methods beyond its ethical dilemmas. Voyeurism may enable richer experiences with the potential to liberate the subject. It can lead to deeper understanding through externalisation and mediation of the subject’s liberation that is tied up in the Other.
Notes:
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Thornquist, C. 2010. Formal Transcendence. Borås: Swedish School of Textiles.
Clemens Thornquist, Voyeurism - and other necessary unethical conditions in social research methods. Cover photo: Entebbe, 2007. Published byThe Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden, www.hb.se All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission by the author. ISBN: 978-91-88269-66-9 (Print); 978-91-88269-67-6 (Pdf), November 2017.