Sexual ethics : a study of borderland questions / by Robert Michels.
- Michels, Robert, 1876-1936.
- Date:
- [1914]
Licence: In copyright
Credit: Sexual ethics : a study of borderland questions / by Robert Michels. Source: Wellcome Collection.
279/320 page 259
![panies thè sexual act.i We may incorporate this idea in thè formula, love for love’s sake, subject, of course, to thè ethical restrictions discussed in thè first chapter of Part I. It is essential that sexual love should so far be emancipated from thè idea of pos- sible offspring as to involve thè recognition of thè right to sexual intercourse, although for various reasons —it may be of an economie order, or it may be as thè outeome of mere caprice—there is no intention whatever to procreate a child. The sexual act, as thè complement and thè crown of thè psychological demands of sex, may not itself possess an “ideal” character ; but considered in its essence, and in thè light of thè sensual intoxication associated with it, it affords one of thè few moments of intense pleasure and pure joy known to us in this poor life of ours. Thus, eroticism has a high energising value.^ The 1 This faci has of late found recognition even in Puritan England. Compare thè views of Edward Carpenter in his Love's Corning of Age, George Alien & Co , Ltd., London. 2 Worth quoting in this connection are thè epicurean verses of thè classical German poet Wieland, which form part of his erotic poem, “Gandolin oder Liebe um Liebe ” (“Gandolin or Love for Love’s Sake”) ; Briider und Schwestern, die Iland an’s Kinn, Und fragt euch : ist es nicht die Liebe, Der ihr in dieser Zeitlichkeit Die beslen Minuten schuldig seyd ? Und floss mit unter auch manche Triibe, . ■ Seyd billig ! Zieht mir von der làebe Das alles was nicht Liebe ist Rein ab, und dann sprecht was ihr wisst ! [Brothers and sisters, reflect, and ask yourselves : in this life of ours, is it not love to which you owe thè best minutes you bave known? Even though through love much sorrow has come to you, take it not amiss ! Take away from love all that is not love, and then teli me What you know.] C. M. Wieland, Sàmmlliche Werke, voi. xxxix., p. 7. F. .A. Schriimbl, Vienna, 1802.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28096290_0279.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
