Utilitarianism theory and concept determines the appropriateness or wrong of an act or activity depending on the agent's motive. Thus according to this theory, it is likely that the right thing be done with a bad motive and vice versa. Pornography refers to the portrayal of sexual content with the intent of causing sexual arousal. Throughout the years, many arguments and debates have come up regarding the ethical motive of pornography. According to Hunt (1993), the origin of the term pornography is from the Greek term porno, which refers to prostitutes and the term graphos, which refers to writing.
From Greek history, the term pornography has taken on different meanings. Thus, according to most historians and scholars, especially ethical theorists have found it difficult to define the scope to which the term pornography applies to as well as the morality of it (Hunt, 1993). For instance, according to the book Applying Ethics: a Text with Readings by Camp, Olen, and Barry (2011), the scholars pose two key questions. First, they inquire whether pornographic materials are in any case morally objectionable or morally unobjectionable. In addition, Camp, Olen, and Barry claim that usually, arguments made against pornography such as in the case of censorship assume that this act is ethically wrong and thus the reason why it should be suppressed Camp, Olen, and Barry (2011).
Proponents of utilitarianism argue that these theory moral searches for a first principle to differentiate right acts from wrong ones (Dworkin, 1985). Thus, the utilitarianism theory on morality tries to identify one characteristic that could make a behavior morally correct. Supposed classical utilitarianism desires that for an action or activity such as pornography to be ethically right, that it should give net happiness, which means total happiness and not total unhappiness. Thus, every individual counts for his or her own net happiness and no individual counts for the happiness of another (Ferguson, 2004). Utilitarianism theory can be interpreted to conceivably defend an individual's complete freedom of expression and access to pornographic content.
Utilitarianism theory and concept does not believe that pornography is an outright moral activity. Instead, this theory argues that for pornography to be moral, it has to have the ability to give one more happiness than the happiness they would experience without pornography (Ferguson, 2004). Thus, in the case of pornography, the utilitarianism concept only considers pornography to be moral if it brings happiness to individuals after viewing pornographic content. The utilitarianism theory bases its stance on the principle of utility (Dworkin, 1985), which is the greatest principle of happiness.
An example that the utilitarianism theory gives regarding terming of pornography as moral is given by Ferguson, who gives the case of an artist, an artistic point of view on pornography. Since an artist making a painting of a naked man or woman would consider this pornographic content as a beautiful or magnificent thing that would help in creation of his art, then, in this case, the utilitarianism would view pornography to be a moral activity (Ferguson, 2004). It is also the belief of utilitarianism that if meant for the greater good if for the benefit of the greatest number of people, pornography would be morally correct.
The utilitarianism theory also adds that morality of an activity such as pornography can be considered correct if the activity is not evil or is not meant to cause any evil (Ferguson, 2004).
More so, the utilitarianism rule states that even during times of sadness, it is required that people should necessary obey "rules" if they ultimately maximize happiness. For instance, one may suggest that reading or looking at a pornographic material pleases one and ultimately, gives the most happiness.
This means that the utilitarianism rule as Kant suggested, advocates for freedom to watch and/or read pornographic content because, denying people the freedom to do things like these is thus termed as hindering people's "universal happiness" (Eggleston, 2014). Nonetheless, there have been opponents of pornography, who have made the issue so devious hence causing numerous court cases on the issue. Though they make it a legal matter, these cases are based majorly on ethical basis. Even proceedings on cases made against pornography are often understood in utilitarian language.
That is why many people accused of pornographic crimes often get themselves acquitted (Richards, 1986). Authorities and nations that have succeeded in banning pornography have done so by typically trying to show that this activity could be a cause of great harm through its contribution towards other evils such as sexual violence and other objectionable sexual conduct. These opponents of pornography use the utilitarianism principle, which states that if an activity resulted in great harm to anyone, then its morality is questionable, and/or that it is immoral and unacceptable (Dworkin, 1985).
There are many ethical theories through which, an engagement such as pornography can be looked at. The utilitarianism theory and concept, unlike many people would argue does not plainly condone the undesirable acts that are associated with pornography. Instead, this theory balances arguments relating to this issue, thereby, giving both the proponents and opponents of pornography a condition to prove their argument. This is because, the utilitarianism theory and concept ascertains the moral correctness of pornography if the activity brings happiness and greater good to people; and at the same time, shuns pornography if the activity causes harm to people.