"Obscene" Episode

You can think (and write) about the issues in the episode in light of these related and contradictory claims “A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the highest virtues of a good citizen"* vs. "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws" (Plato)

As part of growing up and becoming full members of society, children are indoctrinated in basics of living in a community. Often this includes instilling the importance of rules alongside with the basic moral expectations of society.  By adulthood, not only does one follow the rules simply because they exist, but also because these rules are just an outward expression of society’s inner code of moral conduct. However, when society to places limits on itself is it for the protection of the status quo or for protection of the people? 

The two statements “a strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the highest virtues of a good citizen” and “good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws” highlight the forces behind being a law abiding citizen.  The episode we watched last week addressed the debate between society’s expectations of behavior and expectations of personal liberty by looking at freedom of expression, responsibility for ones actions, and a sort of greater good argument. The episode starts by introducing the rape of a young actress juxtaposition with a group of parents who believed that the girl, and others like her, was leading to the degradation of their societal values. While they claimed they were protecting their children, the actions of the leader of the group falls off the moral high ground over the course of the episode. When her son turns out to be the rapist of the actress, she places the blame not on her son for his actions but on the negative influence of a radio host. Instead of following the law to become a good citizen, she believes good citizens do not need the law to tell them how to act. As her son decides to take responsibility for his actions, she attempts to murder the radio host.  While it seems like this is an act of revenge, it is also a publicity stunt. 

Plato says that good people will act responsibly; this episode questions what makes a person a good person and also how do we judge responsibility? Both her and her son are supposedly good people, but they both broke the law and harmed others.  At the same time, both the actress and the host did not meet traditional moral expectations, yet they were law abiding citizens. As seen by this episode, while laws might restrict some freedoms, they give a foundation for behavior that can be applied fairly to all, as opposed to differing moralities.