Sex as a Cultural Institution: Taboo, Religion, and Technology

This article is a profound analysis of sexuality, viewed not as pure biologism, but as a complex cultural institution. Drawing on the work of Leszek Kołakowski, the author examines the fundamental role of taboo and shame in the process of humanizing drives. The text juxtaposes diverse ethical systems—from the Judaic mitzvah of onah to the Christian theology of the body—showing how religions have regulated intimacy for the sake of social stability. A key element is the transition to modernity, where traditional sexual scripts are being replaced by dating algorithms and attention capitalism. The analysis encompasses the impact of technology, pornography, and bioengineering on the state of human relationships, raising questions about the future of intimacy in the age of artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of intimacy. This is a comprehensive look at the sociology and philosophy of sex in a changing world.