Is it immoral to be entertained by violence?

[MysterionMuffles]

Violent media used to be a huge part of my life, now it's just...there. Like I used to feel like I HAD TO watch some gory stuff be entertained, but my taste in media has become more defined. Kind of hate action flicks now with endless bloodshed and explosions. I'd settle for indie films or anything else inspiring to true life stuff. I can barely stand any fantasy or over the top stories, and would much rather read or watch something set in reality, with only a few supernatural or fantastical aspects added in.

BUT anyways, I wanted your thoughts on this. I am highly sensitive to violence in my real life, like when people get aggressive to each other, but from time to time, I do enjoy violent-ish video games because some of it looks really cool. In particular Soul Calibur is the only weapon based fighting game I know of and I am entertained that a guy can get impaled by a 5 foot sword, survive, and get up to fight back. I also love playing Assassin's Creed multiplayer where you can shove a blade up someone's chest or chin after stealthily sneaking up on them. It's good fun.

So is it a twisted dichotomy for me, or is it normal that I AM entertained by well coreographed violence, but utterly dislike when there's violence or the hint of violence in my real life?

[Miss Valeska]

I wouldn't normalise violence at all, And the diactomy probably means something. I do not like it at all, Even in low graphics games like Wurm Online. Though, To be perfectly clear, It is NOT immoral, It may be unasethtical, And unhealthy, But it is FAR from immoral. *hugs you tightly*

[Existing Alternatives]

Ever since I started realizing the role and pervasiveness of violence in our lives, in no little part thanks to Stefan and this site, my interest in “action” movies has all but vanished. Most interestingly it seems to go beyond conscious – e.g. I enjoyed Expendables (pre-FDR), but had to stop Expendables 2 (post-FDR) half-way.  Exposing oneself to violent imagery cannot possibly be beneficial to one’s mental health. As one experiences a movie one cannot help but project oneself into the action, which implies committing said acts. Is wishing someone dead unethical? I actually don’t know, but if it is, doing so while viewing vivid images of murder must be as well.

I have not had much experience with violence in video-games (likely due to age – I actually recognize actors in Expendables), but am sure it is similar to movies with an additional factor of first party interactive experience.

[Steinhauser]

Immoral? No. Potentially psychologically harmful or damaging in some way? Sure.

What matters is whether you have the self-control to reject all real-life violence while still enjoying fictional violence. And hey, you're here, right?

If real-life pacifism translates into some reduced enjoyment of fictional violence, then great. If it causes no change in your level of enjoyment of that material, then perhaps you should look very critically at how dedicated to peace you are. If you're still convinced your dedication to peace and enjoyment of fictional violence are in no way related, great. If you're not convinced, then perhaps look into making a conscious change in your entertainment sources.