Sade was an onanist.
Of course, he was part of a great tradition: Rand, Plato, Jesus, Mohammed -- all of them pick their stage and who gets to stand on it and what they get to say, just like props in some "solo" vid.
One thing is true: All meaning in human existence is based on lies that we tell ourselves. Or, at least, embellishments. It does not follow from that, that our own pleasure is the only true good. That way lies not hedonism, but nihilism.
Of course, he was part of a great tradition: Rand, Plato, Jesus, Mohammed -- all of them pick their stage and who gets to stand on it and what they get to say, just like props in some "solo" vid.
One thing is true: All meaning in human existence is based on lies that we tell ourselves. Or, at least, embellishments. It does not follow from that, that our own pleasure is the only true good. That way lies not hedonism, but nihilism.