The ethics of Acting

[StarKin]

Ok - this was a rabbit trail I really liked (but can't find again, sorry).

In Skip Beat we see both Kyoko and Ren (and even Sho to an extent) being able to manipulate how others act. They usually do it in front of a camera but it works in their civilian life as well.

Is this ethical? It annoys the heck out of Kyoko when Ren does it to her that first time!

This also works in "Real Life". For example - I happen to be female of sufficient attractiveness that, when I choose, I can make males do just about anything I care to ask. (including "ignore", which is what I usually go for) On one occasion I used that ability to make a boy that wouldn't go away make a total IDIOT of himself in front of his peers. He did not bother me after that and neither did his friends. I'm sure that was not very ethical. (but it was fun) :Wink:

[EhudbenGera]

It seems to me that the question you are really asking is "Is manipulation ethical?" The majority of the time, I would say the answer is "no," since it violates the manipulated person's right to liberty, which is one of the world's recognized inalienable human rights. The few times it would be acceptable (if not ethical) is when a) the person has already rejected another person's right to liberty or when b) by manipulating the person, you are acting towards their benefit, rather than your own.

Additionally, (a) is only acceptable in extreme cases, such as when people in Nazi Germany saved Jews by deceiving the Nazi soldiers (if you consider deception to be manipulation, which I do). (b) follows the ethic of reciprocation, so is probably acceptable at all times.

So which do your examples fall under (if any)? Ren would probably say that he is manipulating his co-actors to their own benefit, though Kyoko would almost certainly disagree. I don't think that your own examples of manipulating guy's hormones falls under either category (and is therefore not ethically acceptable), though I personally think that if nothing else works to get through to the guy, he deserves what he gets. Just remember to keep it as a last resort. By that point, he's probably falling under condition (a).

I personally detest being manipulated in almost any form, and if I suspect I am being manipulated, I tend to dig my heels in and act in the opposite direction out of spite. Honesty is the best policy, overall.

[StarKin]

True - most people would consider any form of "manipulation" to be wrong in any but the most extreme circumstances. And the kind of manipulation a professional actor can do definitely falls under the category: potentially unethical.

BUT - there is another factor you may not be aware of in this case. An true actor is such a student of body language that, for them, there is no such thing as an unconscious gesture. Every move they make has an effect and they know, in advance, what that effect will be.

I have been acting (plays, mime, puppets, voice acting, dance, ect...) since I was three years old. I know how to act to get a certain result from anyone, male or female, young or old, regardless of if they speak my language or are even in their right mind! I can't NOT be aware of my actions. For me, the choice is not "to manipulate or not" but "what manipulation to do".

[EhudbenGera]

Actually, I think that most of what you said falls under my second point: beneficent manipulation. One could make the argument that almost all human interaction is a form of manipulation, in that imparting information of any kind is intended to produce a desired result. To that end, I would say that all humans have the ability you speak of, but only certain individuals and professions are aware of that ability. And not only actors/performers. Lawyers immediately come to mind, and I am certain that there are plenty of others.

I did consider that conscious awareness, which is why I included the second point. If your desire is to aid the "target," manipulation would most likely be acceptable (in fact, it probably wouldn't be called manipulation). It is what is known as the "ethic of reciprocation," aka the golden rule.

Hm, my writing is disjointed. I'm going to have to stop posting for the night, so if you reply, don't expect an answer 'till tomorrow at the earliest.

[StarKin]

But sometimes I lose my temper and I'm very tempted to lash out at someone. (and I do more often than I'd like to admit) Twice I've become aware of how an insult I made to a relative stranger has haunted that person for years. On the flip side, I've often been told how much a complement I made has meant as well!

I guess having this kind of "power" is like a martial artist. He knows how to pound people into mincemeat - so he is EXTRA careful not to lose his temper.

Relating this to Skip Beat - Kuon seems like he is hyper-aware of his ability and is afraid of it too. His personality of "Ren" is purposely super nice and polite. Sho seem mostly unaware of his ability to hurt others, but looked like he is starting to figure it out. (especially the "Kyoko" part of his past mistakes) Kyoko seems completely UNAWARE of her ability - but has always used it to help. (so far at least)

[EhudbenGera]

One could then ask if acting in anger is ever ethical. I would say that it would only be so in very extreme cases (holy wrath sort of deal). Doing anything with desire to harm another person is generally unethical.