District 9 Essay
D.S.
S.K.
Core 202
March 3 2014
Screening Essay: District 9 After Wikus begins to transform from human to alien he becomes one of the most sought after business artifacts on Earth. Since his dna has been fused with the dna of the aliens, Wikus has the ability to use alien machinery and weapons. Wikus isn’t considered a “person” anymore; he is now just another tool that the MNU will use so that they can have more profit and power over the aliens as well as the entire city of Johannesburg. An ethical dilemma is caused by the actions of the MNU in regards to how they treat Wikus, as well as what they make him do. This problem contests with the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kants deontological moral philosophy. Here are three formulated maxims that make up the categorical imperative: “The first version of the categorical imperative is act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law” (p.33, Shulzke 2012)… In the second formulation, Kant says moral actors must, So act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means” (p. 34, 2012)… The third formulation is actions should enable others to exercise free will and make moral choices. The actions of the MNU are in no way universally good and they are not interested in the good of all. They take control of the Wikus situation almost immediately by spreading propaganda in an attempt to destroy his social reputation and ultimately make him an enemy of Johannesburg. An example of the second formulated maxim where the MNU acts in a way that uses or abuses others for personal ends is when they capture Wikus and use his mutation to experiment with the alien weapons. MNU’s only objective is to gain control of the alien technology, further advancing their private military. The scene where Wikus is captured and forced to test fire the alien weapons is a good
S.K.
Core 202
March 3 2014
Screening Essay: District 9 After Wikus begins to transform from human to alien he becomes one of the most sought after business artifacts on Earth. Since his dna has been fused with the dna of the aliens, Wikus has the ability to use alien machinery and weapons. Wikus isn’t considered a “person” anymore; he is now just another tool that the MNU will use so that they can have more profit and power over the aliens as well as the entire city of Johannesburg. An ethical dilemma is caused by the actions of the MNU in regards to how they treat Wikus, as well as what they make him do. This problem contests with the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kants deontological moral philosophy. Here are three formulated maxims that make up the categorical imperative: “The first version of the categorical imperative is act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law” (p.33, Shulzke 2012)… In the second formulation, Kant says moral actors must, So act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means” (p. 34, 2012)… The third formulation is actions should enable others to exercise free will and make moral choices. The actions of the MNU are in no way universally good and they are not interested in the good of all. They take control of the Wikus situation almost immediately by spreading propaganda in an attempt to destroy his social reputation and ultimately make him an enemy of Johannesburg. An example of the second formulated maxim where the MNU acts in a way that uses or abuses others for personal ends is when they capture Wikus and use his mutation to experiment with the alien weapons. MNU’s only objective is to gain control of the alien technology, further advancing their private military. The scene where Wikus is captured and forced to test fire the alien weapons is a good