False equivalence?

Is listening to sensual or sexually explicit lyrics the same as watching something sexually explicit? 

 

When we say "the same as" we need to be more specific, because clearly there are differences. In this case, I would ask what the purpose of watching/listening is. For example, if one watches sexually explicit material to say "satisfy their sexual desires", and they listen to sexually explicit lyrics for the same purpose, then yes, they are "the same" in that regard. However, without more details, I tend to think that listening to sexually explicit lyrics is more often the result of just listening to music one likes, with no intent or desire to become sexually aroused.

False equivalence is a logical fallacy in which two fundamentally different things are treated as if they are equivalent, often by emphasizing superficial similarities while ignoring pertinent differences.

In the context of your question, claiming that "listening to sensual or sexually explicit lyrics is the same as watching something sexually explicit" could be an example of false equivalence. Here's why:

1. **Different Mediums**: Listening to explicit lyrics and watching explicit content are fundamentally different mediums of consuming content. Listening primarily engages the auditory senses, while watching involves visual and often auditory input.

2. **Psychological and Emotional Impact**: The psychological and emotional impact of auditory and visual stimuli can be quite different. Visual content can often be more explicit and detailed, potentially leading to a stronger immediate emotional or psychological reaction. Auditory content, though potentially impactful, engages the imagination in a different way.

3. **Intensity of Content**: The explicitness or vividness of content experienced visually might be more intense compared to auditory experiences. Visual content can leave less to the imagination and can portray explicit acts more overtly.

4. **Cultural and Contextual Perception**: Different cultures and contexts may place different levels of acceptability and impact on auditory vs. visual explicit content. What defines appropriateness or impact can vary widely.

5. **Effect on Behavior**: The impact of explicit content on behavior might differ depending on whether the content is consumed via listening or watching. Research in media studies suggests that different forms of media can influence behavior in various ways.

Therefore, generalizing that listening to sexually explicit lyrics is equivalent to watching sexually explicit content overlooks these key differences and nuances, amounting to a false equivalence.

It is important to approach such comparisons with an understanding of the inherent differences in mediums and their unique impacts on perception and behavior.