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Pornography as a moral problem
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When you hear the word pornography, you most likely don’t link positive things to the word. Pornography seems to have a negative connotation attached to it, and has become a debatable subject in particular in today’s technological advanced age, where it is easier to access pretty much anything. But why has pornography been labelled with such a negative connotation? In my essay i will explore the many views on the subject, such as that of radical Feminists who claim that pornography objectifies women. Then there are consequentialists view, which see pornography as setting a bad example. There is one however, definitive situation where pornography is morally wrong and that is in child pornography There is no definitive way of arguing the question is pornography morally permissible? As there are many differing views on pornography, but how we see it all depends on our individual views, values, beliefs as well as morals.
Why is there such a debate about pornography? Why is pornography seen by most people as morally wrong and frowned upon? It can be assumed because it is a private thing. You wouldn’t do it in a public place, it’s just not in society a right thing to do. Another factor could be that people watching porn don’t want their partners to know that they are watching pornography, maybe because they don’t want to make them feel as they are not satisfying them. Or maybe their not and that’s why some people turn to pornography. Some partners might even see this as cheating. But why do some people see this as cheating? Some suggestions are by DR. Phil “Consider how it makes your partner feel. It makes your partner feel ugly, hurt, deceived, lied to or inadequate. However they are not involved in sexual intercourse. Why is it wro...
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...ficulties, even suicide. There are some arguments however such as by philosopher Richard Heck. He argues “Consider a detective who is viewing a photograph of a naked child in an attempt to establish the identities of the participants.” In this case the pornography is used for evidence. This is plausible but in most cases this is not what child pornography is used for. In essence my belief is that child pornography is not morally permissible because it can effect the person involved in negative ways and is wrong to expose kids to such things as this at a young age.
There are many views on pornography, Such as radical feminists and consequentialists. How we see pornography however (morally permissible, not morally permissible), all depends on our views, values, beliefs, morals. But there is one situation where pornography is morally wrong which is child pornography.
A pornographic world [What is normal] by Robert Jensen takes an inside look at the culture of masculinity and what role pornography takes in shaping that culture. Jensen describes how he was forced to play a “macho” role as a child out of fear of being bullied and ridiculed for not being manly enough. Pornography use started for him and his friends in grade school – they would steal magazines and hide them to share in a group later. He talks of how he learned of a social concept, called the “ideal of prostitution” (the notion of men “buying” women in various forms of undress, solely for their pleasure), at a young age. While there has always been a stigma around pornography, whether stemming from moral or religious reasons, Jenson continued to use porn until his 30s.
Pornography refers to sexual materials designed to arouse sexual desire of viewers/readers. The provisions of the First Amendment prohibit the government from abridging the freedom of speech (Hafen 210). Despite the provisions, the US Supreme Court interprets the constitution to identify the limits and boundaries inherent in the First Amendment rights. Accordingly, the First Amendment does not protect two types of pornography: child pornography and obscenity (Hafen 210). The First Amendment protects all other pornographic materials not falling in these two categories, but only for adult viewers.
To sufficiently take a side in the ever-growing debate of pornography, one must first define the concept around which this discourse surrounds itself. A working definition for pornography is a piece of material that has the object purpose of arousing erotic feelings. Radical feminists, however, strictly define it as “the act of sexual subordination of women” (Dworkin 1986).
The word Pornography is defined as "writings, photographs, movies, etc., intended to arouse sexual excitement". With each year that passes pornography has been more and more accepted, it can be seen in books, magazines, cable television and most of all through the internet. Many religions go against it, but at the same time people know that there is a reason why people go into the business and accepted it an other people just like it. In this paper I will talk about pornography and how it is viewed by the four ethical standards (Utilitarian, Kant, Human Rights and Justice is Fairness).
Today, pornography has different targeted audiences based on various categories of pornography. There are pornographies made that are targeted toward women in which are slow and focused more on the people’s language rather than solely genitally focused. Most pornographies, however, are made specifically for men. These videos contain a large focus on the genitals, the men are portrayed as dominant, and the women please the men taking any measures necessary. According to a study, pornography that was intended for men and women aroused the men who were being studied. Women on the other hand, activated negative affects after watching the pornography intended for men and positive after watching the pornography intended for women (Mosher, 1994). In general, men are the main target of pornographies and women as well as feminists believe that pornography should not characterize women as objects. Also when making this study, it was difficult to find pornography that was made by women, majority of the videos are made by men and produced for
In this paper, I will attempt to review the debate on pornography in Chapter 4 - State and Society - of Philosophy and Contemporary Issues, Seventh Edition by John R. Burr and Milton Goldinger.
When deliberating over whether access to pornography should be prohibited, four areas of contention must be elaborated upon and evaluated critically to provide a sensible basis on which a judgement can be made. Firstly, it must be concluded whether pornography can be classed as a form of speech, and whether it enjoys the same protections as art and literature under the principle. Secondly, works such as those of Catherine MacKinnon can be drawn upon to offer a feminist perspective of the effects of pornography on the treatment of women within modern democratic society. Moreover, the principles of Devlin and Feinberg offer relevant acumen regarding the criminalisation of pornographic media. Overall, this essay will argue that whilst access to pornography should not be entirely prohibited; publications that depict ‘extreme’ situations should be subject to regulation and restriction.
The issue of pornography has been debated and argued among many about its effects on morality and society. The questions most raised are is pornography moral or immoral and what defines it as such. Also, what makes something be seen as pornographic and therefore immoral. Often when someone brings up the subject of pornography they often envision something dark and seedy which in no way could ever be justified as virtuous. However, there are others who see it’s as being a healthy outlet and without harm to others. When applying the sociological theories of utilitarianism and deontology we can understand the different ideas of pornography. We can also use the perspectives of Emotivism and ethical egoism to make a rational argument about
In order to examine the sexual history of the 20th century, it is crucial to understand the context of what Kipnis meant in her quote about pornography. Her idea is no matter what your opinion about pornography; it entices and interests the viewer. It is intriguing to think about it from a cultural standpoint in her view and even from a personal view because society in general, tends to think about the data itself, but not about the people who are against pornography being drawn in as such as someone who thinks as of pornography as a positive. This point will be discussed in the Meese Commission. In her opinion, Kipnis states that there are no boundaries between private and public pornography because they are constantly shifting and therefore it is too difficult to tell where they are. Because of the idea of public versus private domain is a common theme throughout pornography and will be examined further, especially ...
Pornography viewed as a sin and source of revolting evil to most. They use it to have a source in which all sex crimes, the decline of sexual desire in married men, and a long list of other sexual problems that are present. Then there is my view where I see it as not all evil or all good but rather much like the yin and yang sign yang the black representing good and yin the white representing evil neither one is completely good or evil but has a mix of the latter mixed in. Finally there are people who believe that pornography can be used to fix martial problems and connect with other that have similar interests. This side believes that porn has beneficial properties if the children are educated rather than protected from it. Therefore my thesis is as such if children are educated they are less likely to use or view porn as a sinful and harmful substance; while the others who are shielded from its presence will be oblivious to the problems it can cause and may abuse it but this can be said about either side it really comes down to the individual that is what I believe.
While it is certainly interesting to see how deeply pornography has permeated our culture, it does nothing to show whether this is good or bad. Many defend their right to record, publish, sell, buy, and view pornography, but that is not the real question. Rational people will decide for themselves what they should do about it and parents will decide what they need to do for their children, but first pornography must analyzed. Only after the pros and cons are measured should the policy be altered.
Pornography has been the leading player in exhibiting sexual behavior to those who care for such things. In fact, Pornography has become an $8 billion a year industry. However, like every industry, ethical and moral questions and situations come up. Although there are many in dealing with pornography, we will explore the area of Child Pornography.
In the today’s society, social media has gone out of hand. Most people these days have a cell phone, Ipad and/or laptop and most definitely a television at their home. Therefore, access to pornography has become extremely easy and can be available to any individual in less than 5 minutes. The best definition of pornography can be explained as sexually explicit words or images intended to provoke sexual arousal. The easy access to porn has raised many people to question if porn is harmful, if it should be censored, and if it is unsafe. Many debates have been going on about porn concerning freedom of rights, speech, and entertainment and right of privacy. The main people to have argued on this point are Catherine Mackinnon and philosopher J.S. Mill.
In recent years, pornography has established itself as perhaps the most controversial topic arising out of the use of the Internet. The easy availability of this type of sexually explicit material has caused a panic among government officials, family groups, religious groups and law enforcement bodies and this panic has been perpetuated in the media.
To some, pornography is nothing more than a few pictures of scantily clad Women in seductive poses. But pornography has become much more than just Photographs of nude women. Computer technology is providing child molesters and child pornographers with powerful new tools for victimizing children. Pornography as "the sexually explicit depiction of persons, in words or images, Sexual arousal on the part of the consumer of such materials. No one can prove those films with graphic sex or violence has a harmful effect on viewers. But there seems to be little doubt that films do have some effect on society and that all of us live with such effects.