Know-How Exchange : Student Questions

The problem with morals is that there is no one clear standard or reference.

它是道德展示广告s for fatty or sugary snacks when kids are watching TV? Or does that increase childhood obesity and lead to lifelong struggles with weight, diabetes, heart disease and cancer?

它是道德展示广告s to tell girls where to go for help if they are single, pregnant and frightened? Or is that likely to increase abortion amongst that group?

Is it moral to tell people to use condoms to prevent the spread of STDs like HIV/AIDS? Or does that encourage younger people to engage in pre-marital sex?

Is it moral to show semi-naked bodies in advertising when the sensibilities of some cultures may be deeply offended?

It's a core marketing principle that you need to understand your target audience well so you do not cause offence to them (because that might lose you sales). But that is a business principle, not a guiding moral one. It's predicated on the assumption the business is there to make money and grow...

And where precisely is the boundary between ethics and morals? It may be unethical to advertise cigarettes to children, but is it moral to sell them to anyone at all?

Tough question, I think one way to answer it is to itemise some contentious issues and analyse each of them from the viewpoint of contrary extremes, and see if there is an acceptable middle ground.

The lack of a set of agreed reference points means there are really no universally applicable right or wrong answers here. What may be considered legal, ethical and even morally acceptable in London, New York, Amsterdam, Paris or Melbourne may be deemed immoral, unethical or even downright illegal in Riyadh, New Delhi, Jerusalem, Teheran, Lagos or Pyongyang.

Good luck with the assignment.

ChrisB