Obscene

Obscenity is a legal term that applies to anything offensive to morals and is often equated with the term pornography. However, the interpretation of what is 'obscene' can vary from person to person, and from society to society.

Definition

The term 'obscene' is derived from the Latin 'obscenus', meaning 'foul, repulsive, detestable'. In legal terms, something is considered obscene if it has a tendency to deprave or corrupt those whose minds are open to such immoral influences, and into whose hands a publication of this sort may fall.

Legal Interpretation

In many jurisdictions, obscenity is evaluated by applying local community standards. The Miller test is the standard United States Supreme Court test for determining whether speech or expression can be labeled obscene, in which case it is not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and can be prohibited.

Obscenity in Art and Literature

Throughout history, obscenity has been a recurring element in art and literature. Many works of literature, such as Lady Chatterley's Lover and Ulysses, have been prosecuted for obscenity. Visual art can also be classified as obscene.

See Also

• Censorship
• Freedom of speech
• Pornography
• Indecency

References

Obscene Resources
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