Philosophy Now Forum

advertising itself cannot be immoral

advertisers (or anyone who tries to sell you anything) can be immoral

if after reading, hearing, seeing, understanding or otherwise interacting/consuming with that which is deemed "advertising," one acts in a way they feel is immoral, that is on the actor

blaming that "advertising" for the actions of the immoral actor is no justification

the devil made me do it... the advertisement made me do it

you did it, accept the consequences

-Imp

Impenitent wrote: ↑Sun Jul 24, 2022 1:26 am advertising itself cannot be immoral

advertisers (or anyone who tries to sell you anything) can be immoral

if after reading, hearing, seeing, understanding or otherwise interacting/consuming with that which is deemed "advertising," one acts in a way they feel is immoral, that is on the actor

blaming that "advertising" for the actions of the immoral actor is no justification

the devil made me do it... the advertisement made me do it

you did it, accept the consequences

-Imp

Child pornography is immoral. The phrase refers to a complicated process that includes human agents (just as advertising does)and their actions. It is a bunch of actions performed by human agents and the products of those actions. Some of it is not immoral, but in general there is a pretty consistant instrumental attitude toward humans, a disinterest in what might be best for those people, an interest in manipulating them to do what is best for the client. That attitude leads to actions that are immoral and are part of advertising.

morality depends on a moral system (definition) and an actor

inanimate objects cannot act (nor form volition)

-Imp

Impenitent wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 7:50 pm morality depends on a moral system (definition) and an actor

inanimate objects cannot act (nor form volition)

-Imp

See, if you quoted from my post and iresponded to my arguments and rebutted them, then we would take another step forward. What you did was repeat your position.

Imp is correct. Commercials don't kill people. People with commercials kill people.

promethean75 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 1:33 pm Imp is correct. Commercials don't kill people. People with commercials kill people.

I'm afraid the topic is about advertising. Advertising is a broad set of activities being carried out by all sorts of human agents. The word is a reification of a bunch of things that people (who can be immoral) are doing.
It would be great if you guys actually responded to my earlier post instead of just restating your position. It saves me time and moves the discussion forward. I mean, if you read my earlier post.

Targeted advertising may not be immoral, as a balanced informational kind of thing.