Immorality in Art

(Originally written May 3, 2007 in Book 16)

Class Notes

Immorality in Art

Aestheticism - The view that art and artists cannot judged by morals.
- Oscar Wilde

Moralism - Art is good or bad based on the morality of the piece
- Leo Tolstoy

Ethics - Moral concepts an judgments are part of the overall aesthetic judgment.

1) Depiction of evil vs. Endorsement of Evil

Saving Private Ryan & Passion of Christ
vs.
Cider House Rules & Million Dollar Baby

2) Necessary depiction vs. Gratuitous depiction of evil
The Deerhunter, Exorcist, City of God
vs.
Natural Born Killers, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm St.

3) Depiction of evil in service of a noble theme vs depiction of service of a trivial theme

On the Waterfront and Spitfire Grill
vs.
Sin City and Requiem for a Dream

4) Provision of insight into truth vs. Obscuring of truth

The Big Kahuna and Les Miserables
vs.
JFK, Pleasantville and Chocolat

Final Justice and Personal Redemption vs. Moral lawlessness and personal hopelessness

Deadman Walking & American History X
vs.
The Silence of the Lambs and Dogville

6) Objective Content of the artwork vs. Subjective Response of the audience

Profanity in Goodwill Hinting
Sexual Premise in American Beauty
Violence in Pulp Fiction