Good and Evil in High Noon
An Analysis of Good and Evil in the Movie High Noon and Application of the Ethical Theories of Kant and Mill
Raymond Parenteau
PHI2000
Unit 3 Assignment 1
Capella University
April, 2014
Preface
For the purposes of this discussion, the concepts of good and evil are going to be analyzed through the use of two contrasting ethical theories, Utilitarianism and Deontology.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory most often ascribed to the philosopher John Stuart Mill. The utilitarian theory suggests actions and/or intentions are not right or wrong; rather the morality of a choice or act is determined by the outcome or result. Utilitarian’s believe outcomes can be determined in advance of an action and the ethical choice is one which provides the best result or most happiness for the greatest number of individuals (e.g., pleasure, happiness, health, knowledge, satisfaction). The utility theory asserts morality is a means to some other end, it does not stand on its own as being intrinsically moral.
In contrast to this theory is Deontology attributed to philosopher Immanuel Kant. Where a utilitarian focuses on the outcome of an action to determine the ethical choice, Deontology dictates the choice, action, or means themselves must be ethical regardless of the outcome.
The Movie
High Noon opens as Marshal Will Kane is getting married to Amy. At the same time three members of recently freed murderer Frank Miller’s gang arrive in town to meet Frank who is coming in on the Noon train. Miller is coming back to exact revenge on Kane, the Marshal who had sent him to prison. Initially Kane decides to run from the looming conflict at the urging of his new wife and his friends, but in the end, he returns to town and must face Miller and his gang alone.
The Analysis
An analysis of good and evil in the movie High Noon (Fred Zinnemann, 1952) is not possible because although evil is clearly represented in the movie, good is not. An assumption of evil however may be
Raymond Parenteau
PHI2000
Unit 3 Assignment 1
Capella University
April, 2014
Preface
For the purposes of this discussion, the concepts of good and evil are going to be analyzed through the use of two contrasting ethical theories, Utilitarianism and Deontology.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory most often ascribed to the philosopher John Stuart Mill. The utilitarian theory suggests actions and/or intentions are not right or wrong; rather the morality of a choice or act is determined by the outcome or result. Utilitarian’s believe outcomes can be determined in advance of an action and the ethical choice is one which provides the best result or most happiness for the greatest number of individuals (e.g., pleasure, happiness, health, knowledge, satisfaction). The utility theory asserts morality is a means to some other end, it does not stand on its own as being intrinsically moral.
In contrast to this theory is Deontology attributed to philosopher Immanuel Kant. Where a utilitarian focuses on the outcome of an action to determine the ethical choice, Deontology dictates the choice, action, or means themselves must be ethical regardless of the outcome.
The Movie
High Noon opens as Marshal Will Kane is getting married to Amy. At the same time three members of recently freed murderer Frank Miller’s gang arrive in town to meet Frank who is coming in on the Noon train. Miller is coming back to exact revenge on Kane, the Marshal who had sent him to prison. Initially Kane decides to run from the looming conflict at the urging of his new wife and his friends, but in the end, he returns to town and must face Miller and his gang alone.
The Analysis
An analysis of good and evil in the movie High Noon (Fred Zinnemann, 1952) is not possible because although evil is clearly represented in the movie, good is not. An assumption of evil however may be
References: Fred Zinnemann. (Director). (1952). High Noon [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures. Sommers, C., & Sommers, F. (2013). Immanuel Kant: Good Will, Duty and the Categorical Imperative. In Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics (9th ed.) Boston: Clark Baxter. Sommers, C., & Sommers, F. (2013). John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism. In Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics (9th ed.) Boston: Clark Baxter.