Quote by Herbert Marcuse
Obscenity is a moral concept in the verbal arsenal of the establishment, which abuses the term by applying it, not to expressions of its own morality but to those of another.
Summary
This quote suggests that obscenity, often deemed morally offensive or indecent, is used by those in power to condemn and suppress ideas that challenge their own beliefs or values. The establishment distorts the meaning of obscenity by selectively labeling opposing viewpoints as such, thereby silencing alternative perspectives. This manipulation of language allows those in authority to maintain control and ideological dominance while marginalizing dissenting voices. Overall, the quote highlights the unjust power dynamics involved in the censorship and condemnation of ideas that go against the established norms.