Ethical and Morality Concepts - Essay Example

Ethical Theory Ethical and morality concepts are influenced by culture and the immediate environment. The manner in which people perceive a certain matter, will extreme determine their ethical perception and moral evaluation. The society develops religion, rule of law, religion and culture as the core values of morality. The interaction between individual and the external environment will draw the line between morality and general assumptions. Different environments react differently on matters morality. The two aspects of moral concepts are those of individualism and general perception. The essay will focus on the final episode of the walking dead. The focus will be on its moral and ethical perception base on Kan’s argument. The society is a core component in moral philosophies different interactions between the social spaces and individual is essential in determining the level of morality. The separation between values and public perception is essential determining the levels of commitment between societies and the individual spaces. Decision making is essential and is determined by the interaction between the social perception f morality and societal perception. In the final episode of the walking dead, Morgan is attacked by men who threaten to take his belonging and also threaten to abduct Morgan as well. The two men are control by their own perception of satisfaction. The idea to take Morgan’s property goes well with Morgan but he is opposed to the fact his generosity and attitude could be jeopardize as he was part of the deal. Morgan is opposed to the idea and use the needed force to prevent the individuals from taking him as a hostage. The two incidents describe the manner in which ethics and morality vary depending on a given situation. The society expects some levels of morality amongst its people but they may ignore the essence of ethics in a bid to prevent bodily harm. In the case of Morgan, his life draws line between respects for morality. According to Kant theory of morality, a person has the obligation maintain a certain level of morality (Birsch 105). The concept of self interests or self satisfaction is null and void according to this theory. The concept becomes a reality when Morgan chooses not to kill the attackers given the fact that he had an upper hand against the aggressors. The aggressors on the other hand are controlled by lack of morality given the fact that they aim at fulfilling personal interest by attaining value from Morgan’s belongings. The result of their action is evident when Morgan acknowledges of the imminent danger caused by the knife attacker. His obligation of morality prevents him from seeking revenge and killing the attackers rather he spaces their lives. The respect for life is an evident on the societal and individual obligation of morality. The respect for life applies when a person acts according to a given moral standards. The definition of morality bases on what the world expects from a certain incident. The life aspect triggers a person from performing certain actions as self consciousness sets the extreme limits. Morgan kills the Zombie while the two attackers were unconscious. His moral perception prevents him from advancing the two in the house and allowing the dead walkers to eat their body, rather he chooses to travel with them as a means of protecting their lives. Kant highlights the essence of ‘absolute good will’ where the individual morality is not separated from the societal moral assumptions (Sullivan 68). In this sense the society perception of morality reigns supreme. The consequences of killing are evident and the societal morality prohibit one from killing another person. The society in which Morgan derives his moral deters him from killing the two aggressors. Circumstances trigger the manner in which people behave in a given environment (Thiroux & Krasemann 7). The society expects an environment where morals are displayed despite desperation. Kant highlights the need to identify the environment and acknowledge the basic interest of the community and the social desire (Sullivan 121). The mind operates based on circumstances. Choosing wrong from good is expected to be a simple task given Kant’s assumption that the moral concept is an obligation. However, situations may trigger a contrary action. In the TV episode, Glenn and his group are desperate to access arms due to the looming danger from the Zombies. However, heavy security prevents them from accessing the facility. This prompts them to structure a plan. In the plan Rickie suggest a hostage situation in an attempt to force their access. I there arguments Glenn questions Rick’s personal stands. In this case the two argue on the ethical conception of slitting the hostages’ throats. This highlight Kant’s argument that society is supreme to individual will in that morality is communal rather than an individual practice. The choice between life of other people and personal interest is portrayed in the scene. Choosing the right decision will be detected by the groups’ perception of morality. In this case morality is triggered by situation at the give period. There is the aspect of blackmail which is contrary to the assumption of Absolute good will indicted by Kant’s theory of morality (Thiroux & Krasemann 29). On the other hand their lives are in danger and a choice needs to be made. Their respect for life prompts them to take a more decisive approach in accessing the armory. The main assumption was protecting life given the fact that loss of life would mean acting unethically. The desperate situation calls for choice to be made within the shortest means possible. The personal assumptions trigger the conversation between Glen and Rickie. The conversation displays Kant perception on morality and ethics that is based on absolutism. In this case Rickie and Glen are guided by the social concepts and environmental factors (Birsch 106). The Dead walker represents those who focus on self satisfaction. Their quest for live human to quench their thirst represents the bad will which forces people to go to extreme measures to fulfill their goals. The aggressors who confront Morgan represent those desperate among society. The remaining characters represent choices made. In this case those who survive the episode are characterized as those who acknowledges the society as a unifying factor. They act based on ethics to survive the dreadful experience. In the end,, there are connections between the individual will and societal expectations. The society allow those within it to operate based on personal interest but make choices according to ethics set by the universal rule. Kant declines to acknowledge the individual efforts and choose to concentrate on the collective responsibility which is factor that ensures the main character survive the entire episode (Thiroux & Krasemann 50). In conclusion, Kant believes in perfection. His moral assumptions are that societies across the world are guided by the same principles. In this case the personal assumptions on morality are not valid. The moral theories focus on the general perception of morality. Ethics are driven by the surroundings. In matters decision making, personal choices are influenced by what the society perceive a certain incident. The lack of coordination within the social spaces will lead to unethical practices. The matters surrounding ethics are significantly important in different societies. The manner in which people interact with the social spaces will determine the level of ethics. When people ignore the essence of morality, consequences follow and they may affect both the internal and external environment. It is evident that Kant concentrates on portraying morality as a universal practice. In this case morality is not optional rather it is a collective responsibility. Those who chose to satisfy their personal responsibility would act contrary of the ethical conception. Works cited Birsch, Douglas. Introduction to Ethical Theories: A Procedural Approach. Long Grove: Waveland Press, 2013. Print. Sullivan, Roger. Immanuel Kant’s Moral Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 1990. Print. Thiroux Jacques P. & Krasemann, Keith W. Ethics Theory and Practice 11th edition. London: Pearson Education, Limited, 2014. Print. Read More