The Erotic is a concept of a source of power and resources that are available within all humans, which draws on feminine and spiritual approaches to introspection. The erotic was first described by Audre Lorde in her 1978 essay in Sister Outsider, "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power". The essay was later published in 1982 as a pamphlet by Out & Out Books.

Lorde's essay on the erotic conceptualizes the erotic as a subliminal power that all women possess that provides satisfaction and joy in several ways besides lust and carnal desire. Other feminist scholars moved on with Lorde's argument on the erotic's purpose in daily life, furthering this progressive theory into a more contemporary understanding of everyday life and modern porn culture. Since the foundational work set forth by Lorde, feminist discourses on the nature of empowerment and human exchange have been inspired by her writings.

Audre Lorde's presentation at the Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women in 1978 was pivotal in bringing the erotic into feminist discourse. Conferences such as this one at Mount Holyoke College did open a space for one to speak explicitly about women's history, but forbade any discourse concerning lesbian identity. Lorde and her panelists resisted by naming the panel "Lesbians and Power," leading conference organizers to eliminate the word "lesbian" and give the panelists a very small room. In response, there a flyer campaign where Lorde and others reclaimed their title, leading to a venue that would accommodate around two thousand people.

During the event, Lorde read her essay, calling societal norms by redefining the erotic as a source of strength and resistance, making a critical contribution to feminist and queer discourses. One of the first instances of the time to remove negative connotations from the word "erotic," this form of thinking inspired those beyond Lourde to break down the walls and barriers of aspects of femininity that are considered taboo, and to embrace those aspects rather than to live in shame of it. By showing how identities, those including race and sexuality, could be a powerful way to express independence and personality, Lorde inspired women to express their identity openly, rather than to hide or disregard these aspects of their identities. This became important in fostering even more inclusive feminist spaces that recognized the importance of the connections between race, sexuality, and class.

In the essay, Lorde describes the erotic as "the nurturer or nursemaid of our deepest knowledge," meaning it is an important source of one's inner wisdom, comfort, and insight into one's self. Through this lens, the erotic becomes a powerful resource in enabling women to reclaim and honor parts of themselves that otherwise would be cast aside. When she says, "The erotic is a lens through which we can scrutinize all aspects of our existence," she means that the erotic is not just something related to sensation; it is a tool in deepening one's relationship with themselves to inspire a fuller, more intentional engagement with life. Lorde describes the erotic as "a well of replenishing and provocative force to the woman who does not fear its revelation, nor succumb to the belief that sensation is enough," she claims the erotic as a source of replenishment and creative vigor for one willing to open fully to it. The erotic is a deep and abiding force for women who do not fear its depth or deny it by forcing it into limited preconceptions of what it represents: just physical pleasure. Lorde suggests that such a deeper understanding of the erotic would move beyond a superficial feeling to allow women access to a more complete sense of self which would be benefit them intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

The scholar Caleb Ward argues that there are four essential facets of the erotic as described by Lorde that help remove some of the associated ambiguity surrounding the term:

The etymology of the erotic comes from the Greek word eros, which Audre Lorde describes as "the personification of love in all its aspects".

Over time, Audre Lorde's idea of the erotic has gotten misconstrued and oversimplified into a concept focusing on physical or sexual pleasure. This interpretation fails to represent the inner strength and creativity that Lorde attached to the erotic. Misreading it solely in relation to sexuality, the erotic loses its radical potential that it could embody as a force towards empowerment, connection, and resistance. More than a sensual pleasure, the erotic, for Lorde was deeply connected to one's work and relationships. That connection was powerful, carrying knowledge and inner strength that could empower people to resist and challenge multiple oppressive systems.