In the US,does being granted the right to do something necessarily make it the right thing to do?

Question

In 2007 it is very apparent that much of what we might think of as morality has been abandoned to the marketplace. On daytime TV and in films, sex is no longer just suggested. Books/photos/films depicting extreme violence or abusive sexuality abound. O.J. Simpson's "hypothetical" account of the 1994 slaughter has been published, and I'm sure will sell. I am wondering where ( if anywhere) an ethical line should be drawn--on the part of the industry, or on the part of consumers? Does allowing almost anything to be put before the public help or hinder our society? And does that matter?

Answer 1

I believe that open access to information aids a society. Nobody is forcing a person to explore all the media out there, especially if you find it objectionable. We do have the choice and freedom to tune out. I do not agree that we should be censoring based upon what makes some feel a little uncomfortable.

I for one am often confused by the amount of violence on TV. It also concerns me that I can watch a man get shot in the face 6 times in prime time, however it would be scandalous to show a breast. What is a more natural human condition, sexuality or violence?

Nobody is forcing me to watch, and therefore I am only exposed and offended if I choose to be. Likewise my children are only exposed if I allow it. In any other instance I would not allow a regulatory board to decide what is best for my children, I do not understand why we allow it with regards to media.

with regards to ethics and Morals, those who are turning to the marketplace for guidance area already lost. Ethics and Morality are built from our friends our family and being a member of society.

Answer 2

I think allowing almost anything to be put before the public can help and hinder our society...but that's the "beauty" of America. We are granted the right...to pretty much say/do whatever we want with the exception of criminal acts and illegal activity. I do not feel that the US can draw an ethical line, because then that would contradict what having the "freedom to..." do anything entails. Although, there are tons of things in the media and the public that are are depicted unethically and immoral, that just goes to show we as Americans have the right to NOT have to participate/agree with what is going on. There is pretty much nothing we can do to censor/stop these actions, as long as they are not breaking any laws or hurting anyone directly....but you have the right to speak your opinion about it and you have the right to turn the station, turn off the radio, not watch a film, and not read a book!

Answer 3

Wow, you're a deep thinker. I concur with your analogy of our society. It seems that in the 50's and even 60's life was so much more simple. You never heard of kids being raped, murdered, brutalized. Never did you hear on the nightly news of prostitution, drugs, drive-by shootings, kids carrying guns to school and such other current horrors.

Children as young as 12 are having sex. How has this come to exist in our society? Is it because we've become so complacent that we're numb from all the overexposure by the media?

30 years ago, it was safe for people to walk down the street in the evening. You didn't hear booming stereos, or see kids with their underwear showing. So many are concerned with their 'status' in life and could care less about people getting hurt on a daily basis.

But now you can hardly express a though without someone screaming "I'm offended".

Yeah, I though OJ was guilty. Michael Jackson too. The violence on television and movies is what we've come to expect. Violence seems to be a never ending evil in our society and I hazard a guess that the problems that lead to it will only grow larger as time passes.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger said in "T2-Judgment Day", "you are destined to destroy yourselves, it is inevitable".

Answer 4

There is an old saying, "just because you have the right to do something does not make it right."

In other words you have free choice to engage in destructive behavior so long as you don't violate the life, liberty or property of another. However that behavior is not moral just because it is legal. There used to be a standard of Public Virtue and Private Vice or what you do behind closed doors is your business. But to the detriment of society many of those activities previously kept behind closed doors are now openly flaunted in public.

Answer 5

The problem is society is the consumer. We have tossed religion out of the schools, we no longer have any ethics or morals. If you do you are probably labeled intolerant.

We think nothing of people living together without marriage, having children outside of marriage, homosexual partners, teenage pregnancy, etc....

What scares me the most is where this leads in 20 years. As long as we as a society continue to have the mindset that whatever "you" want to do is acceptable then it is only going to get worse.

Answer 6

A legal right does not always equate to what is morally right. It is legal to have an abortion, but is it moral? It is legal for OJ to write is idiotic book, but is it the right thing to do? Morals and right and wrong tend to be gray areas heavily dependent on religions and personal beliefs. The terrorists believe that they are right in blowing themselves up to kill innocent people because they feel that anyone that is not like them is not truly innocent. Obviously, this notion is insane but everything is about personal perception. I for one, don't believe that our society is better off today than it has been in the past and yes it does matter.

Answer 7

marally right or wrong is different for everyone, as is ethical. Ethical to me is not to you. Abortion is fine with me and I'm a father of two, a woman should have the right to choose as well as the father (unless the woman is a victim of rape) Are you going to sit back and let someone tell you how to think? To tell you whats morally right or wrong or can you figure it out for yourselves? It's time to cut the strings, time to think for yourselves. If it's wrong to you say so, show it by not watching it or buying it. If it's okay then watch it or buy it, don't let someone who only marginally thinks the way you do, do the thinking for you. As an ADULT you have the power to determine if it's okay to YOU, or YOUR children.

Answer 8

I think most people's morals have went south whether they will admit it or not, they just don't care any more . If Americans would stand together we may get something done but everyone just goes their own way and to hell with the next person most of the time.

Answer 9

Double standards--------Double messages----------
Don't do as I do Do as I say--------Have always been with us,
as well as Two wrongs donot make a right.

But in this now era, of explosion--Boundries and limits have
been abused, to say the least! Lack of "Self Respect" is
the basic missing element.
Those out to make a $$$$$ careless of People, Places,Things. overwhelmed by Power & Greed, The rich and
famous &imfamous are addicted to both.

Answer 10

NO DEARY