Ethical Debate
The Ethical Debate of Pornography
Ashford University
Dr. Craig Allen
SOC120: Ethics and Social Responsibility
Aug 15, 1014
Abstract
In this report, I will attempt to describe, compare, and apply the ethical theories and perspectives to the topic of pornography to explain how the theories and perspectives would analyze this issue. What are the ethical issues of pornography and are there breaches of ethical behavior? In this report, we will apply the ethical theories of Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Ethical Egoism to help us think about what would constitute virtuous or ethical behavior.
Keywords: Pornography, Ethical issues of pornography, Ethical Behavior breaches of pornography,
The Ethical Debate of Pornography
To argue the ethical …show more content…
“Deontologists suggest that the action of child pornography, not the consequences, should be evaluated in terms of wrong or right.” (As paraphrased in Mosser, K. 2013) Therefore, because the exploitation of minors to illicit a sexual response is illegal, it is wrong, but how does deontology apply to unregulated adult pornography? Ethical Egoism, much like relativism and other ethical perspectives, can go either way on the same issue, as it describes how an individual personally identifies and evaluates what right and wrong behaviors are. What remains is the goal; do what makes you …show more content…
Most women and men sign lucrative contracts to participate in the activity of pornography. Therefore, what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior? Are the women and men who participate in sexual activity wrong, or are the writers, producers, and writers? “What are the ethical issues of pornography?” Utilitarians, Deontologists, Egoists, and others ask. We have discussed an ethical breach of behavior consisting of using children in the pornography industry. Does porn harm and degrade women and men? If it does, then according to John Stuart Mill’s harm principle, pornography is not wrong. “The state must not be allowed to prevent someone from doing something, even if it is harmful to that person. Prevention of an activity must be considered if it can be shown to harm others.” (Mosser, K. 2013) Considering the ideas presented in each ethical theory and perspective, there is no logical evidence we can use in the discussion to determine if pornography itself is unethical or not. However, these theories present a side of the argument whose conclusion suggests pornography is a taboo subject that receives bias based on its contexts, not breaches of ethical
Ashford University
Dr. Craig Allen
SOC120: Ethics and Social Responsibility
Aug 15, 1014
Abstract
In this report, I will attempt to describe, compare, and apply the ethical theories and perspectives to the topic of pornography to explain how the theories and perspectives would analyze this issue. What are the ethical issues of pornography and are there breaches of ethical behavior? In this report, we will apply the ethical theories of Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Ethical Egoism to help us think about what would constitute virtuous or ethical behavior.
Keywords: Pornography, Ethical issues of pornography, Ethical Behavior breaches of pornography,
The Ethical Debate of Pornography
To argue the ethical …show more content…
“Deontologists suggest that the action of child pornography, not the consequences, should be evaluated in terms of wrong or right.” (As paraphrased in Mosser, K. 2013) Therefore, because the exploitation of minors to illicit a sexual response is illegal, it is wrong, but how does deontology apply to unregulated adult pornography? Ethical Egoism, much like relativism and other ethical perspectives, can go either way on the same issue, as it describes how an individual personally identifies and evaluates what right and wrong behaviors are. What remains is the goal; do what makes you …show more content…
Most women and men sign lucrative contracts to participate in the activity of pornography. Therefore, what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior? Are the women and men who participate in sexual activity wrong, or are the writers, producers, and writers? “What are the ethical issues of pornography?” Utilitarians, Deontologists, Egoists, and others ask. We have discussed an ethical breach of behavior consisting of using children in the pornography industry. Does porn harm and degrade women and men? If it does, then according to John Stuart Mill’s harm principle, pornography is not wrong. “The state must not be allowed to prevent someone from doing something, even if it is harmful to that person. Prevention of an activity must be considered if it can be shown to harm others.” (Mosser, K. 2013) Considering the ideas presented in each ethical theory and perspective, there is no logical evidence we can use in the discussion to determine if pornography itself is unethical or not. However, these theories present a side of the argument whose conclusion suggests pornography is a taboo subject that receives bias based on its contexts, not breaches of ethical