Ethics even in the Worst Circumstances - Essay Example

Ethics even in the Worst Circumstances “An action done from duty derives its moral value, not the goal to be attained by it, but from the maxim by which it is decided” – Immanuel Kant (Kant Ethics) The universality of doing the right thing according to moral, ethical and legal codes of conduct cannot be undermined. People have been informed early in life through different stages of growth of the concepts of right and wrong and of conformity to rules, regulations, laws and morality. Parents are the first teachers of children, who are expected to adhere to social rules and codes of conduct according to Kant’s concept of good will that emphasizes “the right motive is ‘to do the right thing’, ‘to do one’s duty’, ‘to respect the moral law’” ( (LaFave).

This philosophy was clearly exemplified by one parent, a former FBI agent, who urged his son to turn himself in and face the legal consequences for the murders his son admittedly committed. The current essay aims to proffer pertinent issues that surround ethics even in the worst circumstances. A story written by the Associated Press and published in The Augusta Chronicle narrated the story of John Cook, a former FBI agent, who was faced with the confounding ethical dilemma of duty, prevailing on doing the right things, and respecting the moral law despite knowing that it is his son, Andrew Cook, who is to be convicted.

The initial reaction for parents when children face challenges and trials in life is to be supportive and to provide whatever assistance is necessary. In this case, Andrew Cook committed murders of two university students, supposedly for no apparent reasons (Associated Press par. 11). When his father confronted him to determine the veracity of the allegations, Andrew admitted he murdered those students. Despite the pain and the initial natural response to protect his son from impending conviction, his concept of good will prevailed, consistent with Kant’s philosophy.

The story clearly indicates that the concept of doing right, conformity to morality and legal rules, codes of conduct and proper behavior, is universal. Parents could not hide their children who erred from justice. In worst circumstances, no one could hide from the law: not even a former FBI agent could protect his son from the imposition of justice. In the end, justice will still prevail.Works CitedAssociated Press. "Slaying trial begins for son of FBI agent." 10 March 1998. The Augusta Chronicle.

17 March 2012 ."Kant Ethics." 26 March 2011. The -Philosophy. 17 March 2012 .LaFave, Sandra. "Kants Ethics." 17 August 2006. West Valley College Philosophy Department. 17 March 2012 .