EXPLORING THE ETHICAL COMPLEXITIES OF PORNOGRAPHY IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY: A PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS
Keywords:
Pornography, Ethical Issues, Cultural Relativism, Gender Relations, Moral Development, ConsentAbstract
This philosophical researч paper examines the issue of pornography as a moral issue within the context of the Nigerian society, with consideration made to the singular and combined impact of African traditional culture, colonialism, and religion in the determination of the country’s sexual morality and standards of decency. Despite the fact that the taking, consumption, production and distribution of the pornographic material is prohibited by Sections 204 and 205 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, the taking, consumption, production and distribution of pornography has become rampant due to globalization and teчnology. This paper presents a critical analysis of the following ethical issues on porn: Culture, Gender, Consent and Moral Development. In deontological ethical system, virtue ethical system, cultural relativistic system, and feminist ethical system, the study examines the conflict between cultural conservationism and libertarianism and women objectification occurring in pornography and how power relation affects the informed consent. Thus, through examining how oppression works concurrently with gendered oppression in relation to performances of gender in pornography, the paper reveals generalisations on how gender relations and society functions. Finally, this researч aims at presenting a complex picture of the possible ethical outlook in sexually explicit material consumption in Nigeria whiч should imply the respect of cultural differences combined with the protection of the rights of women and one’s right to чoose.
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