Deciding moral obligations is tricky. The question of whether or not Batman should kill the Joker is one of many modern versions of an age-old philosophical problem. Philosopher Philippa Foot best characterizes this classic, moral dilemma, a choice between what is right versus what produces good results, in her formulation of the Trolley Problem. For Kant, the concept of the categorical imperative is a moral obligation to guide us toward what we ought to do, regardless the circumstances. Kant has us test our actions by asking of ourselves: “What if everyone did it?” This activity aligns with module outcome 4 and 5.

Discussion Question

Prepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:

• Do you think Batman should kill the Joker? Should the controller switch the trolley to another track? Are these questions one and the same? Reflecting on your own life, describe a real-life scenario where you had to make an ethical decision, choosing between deontological and teleological options.
• Please share with your classmates the film you chose for your Module 2 Mini Essay. Embed the trailer to the film in your post. Speculate how the film may or may not align with your own preferred ethical approach or imperatives.

ESSAY PORTION

This assignment gives you the opportunity to explore ethical perspectives in film. In 500-600 words, please consider the three primary ethical schools we have explored in the class: virtue ethics, teleological, and deontological ethics. Choose a film, and then identify the primary school of thought that is best reflected in the film. This activity aligns with module outcomes 1, 3 and 5.

Content Requirements:

• Specifically refer to at least two scenes in the film as evidence for the school of thought that is best reflected in the film.
• Quote dialogue from the film and provide some context for the scenes you’re discussing and analyzing.
• Remember to discuss why the other two schools may not strictly apply to the film. Or perhaps you can argue that the two other schools are present in some of the decisions or actions of some minor characters, but they do not necessarily dominate the film.
• Speculate as to why a specific ethical school dominates this film. Does the topic lend itself to the particular ethical view? Does the setting or historical period of the film lend itself to a certain ethical view? Has the director stated or implied what was ethically important when he or she made the film?
• Read and quote from 1 movie review and your readings to help clarify or support any of your ideas.

Writing Requirements:

• Develop an interesting introduction which includes an evident thesis.
• Logically organize your ideas, ensuring that there are transitions between each paragraph.
• Use proper grammar and syntax
• Use detail, dialogue, and description to support your ideas.
• Use direct quotations from the movie review and your readings, using APA citation style