An Ethical Delimna: the Pornography Debate

Introduction Pornography is a subject that has been around since the discovery of erotica. Because of moral issues associates with this topic, there has always been controversy. From the days in which there were brothels filled with “ladies of the evening” to today in which access to this type of material is only a click away, there have been people who argue against the ethics of pornography. According to Mosser author of Philosophy: A Concise Introduction, ethics can be defined as a type of “moral philosophy” that allows investigation on how to evaluate behavior based on what is considered right and wrong (2010). While ethics play a huge role in everyday life, it can also become a blurred line in regards to what each individual considers right and wrong. In today’s society there are many issues that may seem appropriate in one country or society, but may prove to be improper somewhere else. The subject of pornography is an issue that plagues the ethical realm. While, in general there are guidelines that regulate the pornography industry in this country, it is clear that those same rules do not always apply abroad. Because of the increased influence and access to pornographic material there has developed two distinct groups: those who are against pornography (anti-pornography) and those who are in support pornography (pro-pornography). The two sides have debated on the rights for people in and outside of the porn industry to exercise their freedom of speech by viewing, distributing and accessing the material.
The Pornography Debate
A Brief History of Erotica In order to fully grasp the two sides of the pornography debate it is important to mention how the subject has gained so much attention in recent years. Erotica has been present in everyday life for a number of years. The origins of erotica date back to the ancient sexual pleasures found in the Kama Sutra and other depictions in the Eastern world. The moral debate over erotica however did not emerge

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