Utilitarianism and Nihilism in Crime and Punishment - Research Paper Example

College: Crime and Punishment Introduction Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, is considered by many scholars to be an exemplary epitome of crime psychology literature, irrespective of the fact that it is a work of fiction. Dostoevsky uses the life of the novel’s protagonist, Raskolnikov, to systematically narrate a story of crime and conceptions of condemnable actions, intertwined with love. The main character in Dostoyevsky’s fictitious work is portrayed as an amoral individual, who perpetrates heinous crimes out of a personal belief that he is above the rules and regulations that bind his fellow countrymen. Raskolnikov is opposed to blind faith in religious morals, instead opting to chart his own path in rational or utilitarian principles, and in a nihilistic stance to societal ethics. Dostoyevsky’s novel builds on the paradox of Raskolnikov’s belief system, which becomes even more contradictory when the protagonist starts giving thought to religious faith and piety despite his utilitarian and largely nihilistic attitude. It is only after accepting religion that Raskolnikov eventually gets redeemed from his wrongdoings. This paper seeks to examine the philosophical concepts of utilitarianism and nihilism, within the context of the novel Crime and Punishment¸ in an effort to understand the criminal mind. Novel Setting and Plot Dostoyevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, has its setting in mid 19th century St. Petersburg. This is an environment characterized by rampant poverty, destitution, sadness and desperation, which makes vices like prostitution and criminal acts inescapable. As the novel commences, Raskolnikov is in a dark and musty bar. In the bar is another character, Semyon Zakharovitch Marmeladov, who is a habitual drunkard. The latter is accustomed to spending money senselessly on alcohol and prostitutes. He completely disregards the welfare of his own family and seeks refuge from life’s sorrows in his moral weaknesses. The extent of prevailing desperation becomes evident, when Zakharovitch laments that “hopelessness is the state of existence, where there is nowhere else one can go” (Dostoevsky 12). The drunken man continues to say that even though compassion has been crushed by science and society in general, there is still a way to escape, “For every man must have somewhere to go” (Dostoevsky 12). It appears as though the drunkard is trying to justify the possibility that his excessive drinking is a form of escape. Judging from this dramatic beginning, it is evident that Raskolnikov cannot avoid the prevalent poverty, drunkenness, prostitution and overall desperation. The protagonist observes these activities in a detached manner, from a position of superiority. Raskolnikov seems consumed by the feeling that he is not like the rest of these destitute individuals, and it is this superior attitude that isolates him and makes him contemplate on how the society would be better without some characters. The isolation is accentuated by the fact that Raskolnikov rarely interacts with other people. By perceiving himself as a better person than those around him, Raskolnikov starts thinking that he should enforce his controversial moral values. Raskolnikov rationalizes his questionable sense of morality, and strongly believes that he is not subject to the laws and rules to which the rest of the citizens adhere. It is this manner of reasoning that allows Raskolnikov to plan and eventually execute the murder of the harsh moneylender, Alyona Ivanovna. Raskolnikov is extensively rational, to the extent of lacking a conscience. This is attributable to his lack of religious belief or allegiance and he can, therefore, not distinguish right from wrong or even respect the sanctity of human life. In every character’s story, Dostoyevsky shows that an individual must modify the course of their life, in order to rise above their hopelessness and other negative life circumstances. The author also shows that reason is not solely capable of enabling a character to justify certain actions or even escape punishment. Philosophical Analysis Nihilism Nihilism is a philosophical ideology prevalent in Russia from the 1850s to 1860s. This concept largely negates societal ethics, as it revolves around complete denial of all established authority and institutions. This philosophical construct rejected familial and societal relations, as well as aesthetic and emotional concerns. Instead, it favors strict materialism and the notion that there is no soul or mind beyond the physical environment (Eggers n.pg). In Crime and Punishment, the protagonist’s nihilistic attitude prompts him to kill two women. Raskolnikov perceives himself as a “superman”. This is nihilistic in the sense that, he sees himself as an extraordinary individual who supersedes the rest of the people and is, therefore, above the laws of ethics that govern other people. Raskolnikov’s nihilistic tendency is also evident from his drastic decision to kill a tightfisted and aged pawnbroker. Dostoyevsky emphasizes the random and heartless nature of this crime, by stating that Raskolnikov committed it “Under the spell of an idea,” (Dostoevsky 25). The main character’s nihilism is also apparent from his decision to kill the pawnbroker’s sister after she discovers his heinous act. The murders clearly show Raskolnikov’s complete disregard of the law and his determination to prove his superiority. He also fails to show any feelings of guilt soon after committing the crimes. Even after being charged and convicted, Raskolnikov adamantly resists the idea that he is subject to the rules and regulations governing the rest of society. Instead he continually tries to convince himself that his murder crimes were completely justifiable. Raskolnikov is also unsentimental for the most part of the narrative and completely ignores social conventions that go against his beliefs and perception of an ideal world. Utilitarianism The philosophical concept of nihilism is linked to that of utilitarianism in Crime and Punishment. Utilitarianism is an ideology founded upon the notion that moral decisions made by a person must focus on guaranteeing maximum contentment for the largest proportion of a given populace. In utilitarian thought, therefore, an action is deemed moral only if it is aimed at achieving the highest level of usefulness for the largest possible number of individuals. According to Eggers (n.pg) utilitarianism is a teleological concept, in that; its interest is in the outcome of an action. This explains the predominant maxim associated with the theory, which states that “The end justifies the means” (Colson n.pg). In the novel, Dostoyevsky extensively explores the theory of utilitarianism, effectively illustrating how the concept’s half-developed ideas are capable of having adverse effects. This is because; supporters of the concept, especially Raskolnikov in this case, use it to condone and justify their actions, ultimately leading to destruction. For example, Raskolnikov initially rationalizes his decision to murder Alyona by claiming that he ridded the society of a louse. This is clearly a utilitarian basis of argument, since according to him; he simply removed a stingy pawnbroker from his environs and saved the greater majority the stress that Alyona imposed on them. Crime and Punishment Psychology Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel adopts a unique approach in addressing the concept of crime and consequent punitive measures. The protagonist commits the murderous acts in the first part of the novel, while his punishment comes in the final part or epilogue. The comprehensive description of the main character’s demeanor and attitude, in between these extreme endpoints, allows the author to give insight into a criminal’s psychology. Raskolnikov’s nihilistic attitude and utilitarian justification of his crimes makes the greatest part of the novel, thus enabling a reader to explore different perspectives on crime. Further, the consequences suffered by Raskolnikov after his crimes and constant attempt to cope with his guilt feelings, shows the inevitable punishment to which he is liable for failing to comply with societal rules on morality (Colson n.pg). The long duration between actual committal of crimes and eventual punishment is characterized by the protagonist’s torment, the tendency to second-guess his superiority, despair and rethinking of the rationality he used to commit the heinous acts of murder. By refraining from extensively focusing on the final punishment of imprisonment, the author seems to hint that actual punishment is not as terrible, as the anxiety and stress of trying to justify a crime and evading the penalty. As a reader, one gets to understand that a criminal laden with guilt is bound to suffer from acute mental torture, just like Raskolnikov does, to the extent of eventually confessing and acknowledging the crime. The author also successfully shows that rationalization of a crime does not prevent an offender from suffering the consequences. Further, despite the protagonist’s nihilistic attitude, he eventually realizes that he is human, just like others and that he too, is subject to the basic rules of morality (Moreland [b] n.pg). It is ironic that the evil acts committed by Raskolnikov also constitute his turning point. The rational and self-perceived superman, driven by immense guilt, gradually transforms and learns to be humble and accommodative of people around him. Raskolnikov comes to the realization that the ethical guidelines he detested and undermined are inherent in all humans. The proud protagonist also falls in love with a young lady named Sonia Marmeladov, who engages in prostitution to provide food for her famished family. Through Sonia’s guidance and care, Raskolnikov comes to learn that it is suffering, and not rebellion that enables people to attain absolute redemption. It is this realization that prompts him to surrender to the authorities, where he is sentenced to an eight year prison term. Raskolnikov’s love for Sonia and resultant desertion of his nihilistic attitude enables him to care for people other than himself and readies him for complete liberation (Moreland [a] n.pg). As a result of Raskolnikov’s actions, Dostoyevsky clearly shows that nihilism is not only empty, but also unproductive and detrimental to a person’s well being. Conclusion Judging from the analysis Crime and Punishment is a highly informative novel that adequately warns against justification of crime, nihilism and actual committing of crime. The author also shows that there is immense danger when a person isolates himself or herself from the rest of society. This shows that socializing with others is imperative in deterring crime. The final principal lesson derived from the novel is that, suffering and confession paves way for absolute liberation. Works Cited Colson, Chuck. Crime and Punishment: Suicide by Self-Affirmation. Breakpoint, January 23, 2009. Web. 6 April, 2014. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. New York, NY: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2014. Eggers, Whitney. Philosophies in Crime and Punishment. 2009. Web. 6 April, 2014. Moreland, Kim (a). Crime and Punishment: Marmeladovs Impassioned Exposition. The Point, 6 September 2007. Web. 6 April, 2014. Moreland, Kim (b). Is Anyone There? Light Summer Reading. The Point, 30 July 2007. Web. 6 April, 2014. Read More