Date submittedRUNNING HEAD: UTILITARIANISM VS DEONTOLOGY: A CASE STUDY 1
UTILITARIANISM VS DEONTOLOGY: A CASE STUDY 5
Title:
Name:
Institutional affiliation:
UTILITARIANISM VS DEONTOLOGY: A CASE STUDY
Steve Rogers’ and Tony Stark’s Captain America: Civil war is a classic example of a clash between utilitarian and deontological theories. Featuring in the fictional movie are household-name heroes such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Spiderman. All of the heroes are known for their good acts of saving people from their previous screen appearances. Despite this, the new release creates a dilemma through a legislation that requires all powered heroes to be registered (Abad-Santos, 2016). Iron Man pushes for the registration, while Captain America supports the opposing side. The ridge creates great adversary between the two sides and end up in exchange of blows. Newer heroes who are on the ground such as Spiderman suffer most and are torn between which sides to support.
The show begins with superheroes trying to film a reality TV when the need to take down some super villains emerges (Abad-Santos, 2016). In the process, one superhero destroys buildings and injures innocent civilians among them kids in a playground. He sees no problem in it as in the end he saved the super villains but this does not go well with the government. In a rare occurrence where normal people can decide on the fate of powered heroes, the Congress makes it mandatory for superheroes to be registered. All are required to reveal their identity as well as the source of their power.
Being a pragmatist, Iron Man foresees that most of the public will need the legislation to be effected and is guided by his utilitarian belief to support the matter (Abad-Santos, 2016). On the other hand, Captain America believes superheroes require anonymity if they are to protect the public effectively. The differences between the two are so huge that they end up exchanging blows. Iron Man even takes the matter further and builds a secret prison in which he detains unregistered superheroes.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
The philosopher Kant ethical imperatives are widely applied today in sociology especially where reasoning is involved. His two imperatives are the Hypothetical and Categorical imperatives. In his thoughts, Kant believed a command to be the representation of a binding commitment while an imperative to the formula of a command. For instance, the statement “Study hard” may have different meanings depending on how they are perceived. When understood as a command, the person to whom it is directed has to obey it although not at will. On the other hand, it may be understood as a short form of the sentence; “Study hard so as to pass exams”. In the latter example, it is not a command but rather an imperative that should be obeyed out of morality.
In Captain America: Civil War, the requirement that all superheroes must register is command. However, it ceases to be a command in Kant’s categorical view when we analyze the reason behind the statement. The government puts forth the legislation in order to prevent more civilian deaths in the hands of superheroes. Through registration, the government believes, superheroes will be bound to be responsible for their actions. By knowing their identity and residence, the government can easily take action against any erring superheroes. On the contrary, Captain America sees this as a threat both to the superheroes as well as the public. Although both approaches aim at the common goal of protecting the civilians, views from both sides are far wide apart.
In my view, Captain America was right to oppose registration. Although immoral in the sight of the government and that of Kant’s imperatives, the end results justify the position. Registration of superheroes would mean that their identity is known throughout the land. To some extent, this makes the people vulnerable to outer attacks as opponents would be able to judge superhero abilities. Additionally, it is more satisfying to know that a superhero may show up for rescue than knowing their identity and residence. This would bring a sense of doubt especially if we attribute limitation of speed and power to the superheroes.
In the event where all superheroes oppose the registration, there will be no accountability for any fatalities caused by superheroes in their rescue operations. However, the proportion of civilians affected in this case is too small compared to those who benefit. First, all the public in the territory would have peace of mind even in the event of catastrophes. Secondly, superhero activities do not always result to civilian fatalities hence it does not necessitate registration. Thirdly, registration infringes the rights of anonymity of the superheroes so they should be allowed to exercise their right to freedom. Fourthly, there would be no victims ending up to the secret jail established by Iron Man.
References
Abad-Santos, A., (2016, May 19). Captain America: Civil War: in defense of Captain America. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2016/5/19/11700560/captain-america-civil-war-defense-captain-america
Discussion 2: Deontological Tropes on America’s Immigration
America’s immigration policy is complex. At any given time, immigration in America depends on a number of social, economic, political and cultural factors. America mainly allows outsiders to settle in its land if they come to bring economic benefit. Needless to say, killed laborers with expertise in a given area find it easier to settle in the land than those fleeing calamity in their countries. Other factors include reunion of families, promoting diversity, and protecting refugees. As in any other policy making process, immigration brings about a conflict of interest between morality and prudence. Should the cap on the allowable number of immigrants per year be lifted to absorb more refugees? Or should we put our economy at the fore?
Deontology requires we do the right things if it is our duty to do so and shun the wrong ones no matter the consequences. By right it implies certain principles such values such as equality and human dignity. A closer observation of immigration reveals that there is more to it than just allowing people in. immigration increases competition on resources, space, status good and jobs among others. It also determines international relations and affects the identity of the communities as well as those of the receiving communities. It suffices to mention that not a single philosophical approach can sufficiently encompass all the aspects of immigration.
Five aspects always come out clear when we tackle the debatable aspect of immigration from a deontological approach. These are family unity, human rights, historical continuity, fairness, and sovereignty. Concerning human rights, most asylums flee dangerous battles in their home countries and either face persecution due to their race, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, and so on. In their case, there is no other alternative and returning them to their countries risks their security. Deontology offers no other option than to allow such people in.
Family unification forms the greater part of U.S. immigrants every year. Fortunately for the immigrants, immigration law offers priority to people with relatives living in the country. It is further supported by the simple fact of the family being the basic unit of the society. The public can hardly acknowledge any policy that fails to recognize the family factor. As a result, this consideration draws no opposition and even gets support from consequential approaches.
Deontology is based on the principal of fairness by treating all people as equal. The issue also draws considerable arguments in immigration policy making, with some inclined supporting while others outweighed by racism. Since immigrants pay taxes just as the other citizens, there should be no discrimination when deciding who is to be allowed in. worse still, immigrants get a smaller share of the national cake even when their contribution to the economy matches that of other citizens.
Save for a few aboriginal traits, America is a country of immigrants. This automatically qualifies anyone seeking asylum into America the right of entry. However, the 25-year dry spell that saw very little immigrants settle in America between 1921 and 1965 is alarming. Hostility towards immigrants in the recent past also puts the prospect of historical continuity at question. However, the random diversity visa program established in the 1990s has helped promote diversity (American Immigration Council 2016). Given the diversity of the American population, policies restricting immigration of people of a certain religious or political inclinations should be abolished.
Sovereignty can be cited as the greatest hindrance to immigration to the United States today. By granting the nation independence to make laws as it wishes, sovereignty locks out scores of deserving immigrants. The categorical imperative requires these people be allowed entry on the basis of their vulnerability even if the act strains our resources. From a deontological view, these asylums have a right to get refuge from their inhuman environments. Immigration laws that rate such issues as of less priority should therefore be changed to accommodate all.
As a country, we have a duty to grant permanent residence to outsiders based on a number of factors. Asylum seekers whose home countries are hostile should be given first priority. The current position is accommodative enough as immigrants whose home countries are still unstable are protected from deportation. While family-based immigration have a restriction as to the type of relationship, the considered next-of-kin is sufficient as logistically the country cannot accommodate the whole world. Job-based immigration law requires amendment to allow the workers freedom to seek work elsewhere if they are not comfortable with the current one.
References
American Immigration Council (2016, Aug 12). How the United States Immigration System Works. Retrieved from: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/how-united-states-immigration-system-works