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Avengers Reflection

1) The document discusses the differences between utilitarianism and deontology in the context of extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the Philippines. 2) It argues that while EJK could be viewed as utilitarian in that it aims to maintain security by killing alleged drug users, it is questionable if it truly benefits the majority. EJK has not eliminated drug crimes and has resulted in innocent lives lost. 3) EJK also cannot be considered deontological, as killing is not a morally right action that can be universally applied or that adheres to human rights. Taking life is not justified in this case as alleged drug users and pushers do not pose imminent threats.

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222 views1 page

Avengers Reflection

1) The document discusses the differences between utilitarianism and deontology in the context of extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the Philippines. 2) It argues that while EJK could be viewed as utilitarian in that it aims to maintain security by killing alleged drug users, it is questionable if it truly benefits the majority. EJK has not eliminated drug crimes and has resulted in innocent lives lost. 3) EJK also cannot be considered deontological, as killing is not a morally right action that can be universally applied or that adheres to human rights. Taking life is not justified in this case as alleged drug users and pushers do not pose imminent threats.

Uploaded by

Nic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Philo 1 WFX 1

The Philosophy of Avengers: Infinity War


August 16

Honestly, I haven’t watched Avengers yet nor do I have plans to do so. Regardless of the movie, it
is all about the key differences between utilitarianism and deontology under the branch of normative
ethics. Generally, utilitarianism is concerned about the consequences of one’s behavior whether it will be
for the greater good of a greater number of people. On the contrary, deontology is not looking at the
consequences of one’s behavior, rather it mainly focuses on the morality one’s actions whether it right or
wrong. In utilitarianism, the “ends justify the means” while in deontology the “ends do not justify the
means”. From there, it can be understood where these two clearly contradicts each other.

In relation to the current Philippine setting, with regards to the issue of extra judicial killings taking
place up to today, it kind of seems like it is a utilitarian act of the government in a glance. We the majority
have been hearing news each day that another drug pusher was caught by the authority. To take note,
utilitarian considers that the “ends justify the means” and the EJK can be interpreted as a way of keeping
security, peace, and order by killing accused drug-users, especially pushers.

This thinking is quite questionable if it really follows the definition of utilitarianism that it is for
the greater good of a greater number of people. First, does EJK indeed benefit the majority, or is there
any direct correlation that could probably show that the population “really” benefits from such killings.
Perhaps nothing changed to consider that indeed these killings changed our society for the better. What
is the use of such killings if crimes associated to drugs still occur even though crime rate went down during
the President Duterte’s administration according to Philippine National Police. Second, if drug related
crimes still occur with EJK in effect, then who benefits from this? Isn’t this a blunder by just taking the
easy way opposing to a morally right one? What if this process of EJK is not the greater good that can
ultimately solve the problem, and this is just the result of another consequence. Third, what about the
“collateral damage” that this has caused in effect to taking innocent lives and children along the process
of capturing alleged drug addicts. Doesn’t this sound like vigilante killing and injustice to false accusations?
Some innocent lives, taken during the process of EJK, although minimal still cannot fully justify that the
way of EJK is utilitarian.

In another aspect EJK is certainly not deontological since it must be morally right, therefore
otherwise cannot be universalized, and it doesn’t adhere to Human Rights. Taking one’s life isn’t right
however one sees it. Nevertheless, in an argument of self-defense it might be morally right to protect
yourself and others against imminent danger. If these drug pushers pose immediate threat to society then
it can be reasonable but that is not the case. For each day that passed, each of these drug addicts don’t
“hunt” for their victim nor they plan to do so. Also, these cases are not only attributed to drug pushers
since there are also alcoholic substance abusers who can be blamed partly. It is wrong to say that this
whole process of EJK was more like a preventive way or a precautionary measure as self defense since its
to harsh to judge them fast by the means of killing. The means of killing makes this war on drugs inhumane
in such way we are the ones who are wrong.

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