In forty eight pages this research paper discusses censorship and its challenges with the primary focus being made upon what is deemed pornographic with various works of art among the many topics covered. Fifteen sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: MM12_PGprnfem.rtf
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their arguments on the harmful effects of obscene and pornographic materials. Both are right and both are wrong, primarily because the groups often use the wrong set of arguments to
support their case. Further, the U.S. Supreme Court has declared obscenity is not protected under the First Amendment and it have provided a set of criteria for determining whether or
not a particular work is or is not obscene or pornographic. This is also true in at least Canada and the United Kingdom. Some groups on each side of the
debate have a tendency to become somewhat fanatical and illogical in their arguments. They typically fail to gain other followers to their cause. What is obscene? What does pornographic
really mean? One of the primary problems is that the Courts, even with their criteria, have not been able to define the terms discretely enough because the terms are subjective.
One person may consider pictures of nude children innocent while another person would consider them indecent, for example. It is a matter of interpretation. This paper explores a variety
of issues and perspectives relative to pornography, including the fact that this is a very big business worldwide. Legal and Common Definitions One of the earlier definitions of
pornography appeared in an 1864 edition of Websters dictionary: "licentious painting or literature, especially the painting anciently employed to decorate walls of rooms devoted to bacchanalian orgies", referring to the
shocking discoveries at Pompeii in the 18th century" (Bailey, nd). The concept of pornography is defined generally as "all sexually oriented material intended primarily to arouse the reader, viewer
or listener" (Reefs & Rocks, nd). There are a number of categories that have been established by courts. The first four are illegal, the fifth is legal: 1. Obscenity: