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Gone Baby Gone
The theme of morality is captured in the movie Gone Baby Gone. In the ending scene we meet the protagonist left in a tight position on what to decide. Having solved the case the only thing remaining was to decide whether to return the kidnapped child back to her irresponsible mother or leave her to the lovely and caring home of the kidnappers. The protagonist is struck with a dilemma. By returning the child home he would be compromising the girl’s future and also would mean that an officer of the law was going to face charges. In the event he leaves the girl at the kidnappers home this would mean he did not work in the best interests of those who hired him and also the law.
Kant’s philosophy on morality stresses that rightness is not based on the worth of results or character. He points out that the objectives we may have at times when acting, and also how we act and its effects considered as ends and what motivates will, can confer to actions with no unconditional or moral worth(Robert).
In the movie the protagonist had gone wrong once when he shot a pedophile who had molested and killed a boy although he begged for mercy. The actions of the pedophile looked like he received what he deserved but Patrick regretted doing it and vowed not repeat such an act again. He had been overcome by emotions just like any other human being and probably anybody would have done the same at that instant. However the result was an abuse of human rights. This is what made him to regret his action. What motivated Patrick to return the girl? Was it because of his duty and responsibility? Or was it because he thought that his actions would result to more good than bad? Being a professional he was bound to certain laws and he made a sound decision without having to look at its effects afterwards. This part creates suspense and everybody is left to decide for him/herself what might have been the best thing to do.
The kidnapper had gone to extreme ends to cover up the kidnapping. People lost their lives just because a couple wanted to ensure that a helpless little girl found a good home. So was it necessary to kidnap then create a conspiracy as a cover up just to make ends meet? Lives were also lost in the event meaning some human rights were violated which prompted for action.
According to Kant the independence of our wills is a conjecture of any realistic point of view identifiable as such by us. He further pointed out that moral judgments are based on a standard of reasonableness which he termed as the categorical imperative. Analysis of sensible reason exposes only the necessity that normal agents must adhere to instrumental principles. What is important in measures that convey a good will is that the structure of motivation of the agent be set to give considerations of responsibility precedence over all other interests.
In the end Patrick returns the child back since it was his duty. Furthermore it was his responsibility to bring to justice those who were involved in the crime, something he did well. To him not returning the child back to her mother would have meant he failed those who had hired him and also the authority he was serving under. Many lives had been lost and someone had to be held responsible. This was only possible if Patrick ensured the kidnappers were arrested.
To me the main action was moral since it was done in good will.
Works Cited
Johnson, Robert, “Kant’s Moral Philosophy”,
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