Philosophy Program Presents
Philosophy Colloquium
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Hegeman 102
Michael Kessler
Lecturer in Philosophy
University of Pittsburgh
Lecturer in Philosophy
University of Pittsburgh
will give a talk
"A puzzle about the law of obscenity"
The law of obscenity relies on the premise that some forms of expression involve a wrong that goes beyond mere offensiveness. Such speech is considered "low value" and on a par with other forms of unprotected speech, like fraud and defamation. However, on closer inspection the badness of obscenity cannot easily be explained in terms of the harms that arise from instances of fraud or defamation. I argue that the usual justifications for the law of obscenity lack adequate philosophical foundations, and suggest a different way of dealing with the concept of obscenity.
For more information, call 845-758-7393, or e-mail [email protected].
Location: Hegeman 102