Should art ever be banned or censored if its content and/or effects on audiences are deemed seriously offensive or harmful? Begin by exploring the arguments for banning or censoring art. One place to start would be Plato's argument in The Republic , but you are not limited to this perspective. You should consider what kinds of effects art would produce on people that could plausibly, or not plausibly, be construed as offensive or harmful. Why would these serious effects require that bad art be censored or banned? After exploring this viewpoint, develop a counterargument against banning and censorship. This argument should address the issue of whether even obviously offensive and harmful art should be permitted and why. What makes the production, display, and appreciation of bad art permissible, despite its being bad? Throughout, focus on specific forms of art, such as paintings, plays, movies, and music.

Question

Should art ever be banned or censored if its content and/or effects on audiences are deemed seriously offensive or harmful?   Begin by exploring the arguments for banning or censoring art. One place to start would be Plato's argument in The Republic , but you are not limited to this perspective.   You should consider what kinds of effects art would produce on people that could plausibly, or not plausibly, be construed as offensive or harmful.   Why would these serious effects require that bad art be censored or banned? After exploring this viewpoint, develop a counterargument against banning and censorship.   This argument should address the issue of whether even obviously offensive and harmful art should be permitted and why. What makes the production, display, and appreciation of bad art permissible, despite its being bad?   Throughout, focus on specific forms of art, such as paintings, plays, movies, and music.

Zybrea Knight · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : This is an argumentative essay on censorship, probably departing from Plato's famous theory but not limited to that approach.

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