Looking through the various theories of morality, it could be noticed that Kant’s three premises present the ultimate ground for the philosophical process. Kant’s three premises, also known as categorical imperatives, follow the rules of morality and ethics (Allison). The first premise reflects that person who acts morally would be unconditionally “right” in any circumstance (Allison). The second premise indicates that conduct is “right” in the situations; it is recognized as an end in itself and not as a means to an end (Allison). The conclusion of Kant’s idea is that person acting morally follows universal law that governs others in similar circumstances.
In the movie “Gone Baby Gone,” a clear distinction between morals could be observed. According to the first premise, Patrick’s action is morally acceptable, as he returned the victim to the position without triggering the rightness or wrongness of this position (Allison). The question is directed to the rightness of any detective in a similar situation conducting those actions. Nevertheless, Kant’s philosophy supports this position prioritizing right over the good. Based on the second premise, Patrick’s steps are moral because he respected Amanda’s dignity and treated her in a better way than other people. Here, Kant’s theory states that humans are special creatures; therefore, their ends do not mean everyone. In conclusion, it could be claimed that the detective’s actions were morally right. Reporting a kidnapping to the police, he established a universal law governing detectives in similar situations (Allison). From a different perspective, the final actions in the movie also correspond to Sandel’s three contrasts that rely on morality, freedom, and reason. The main final represents all necessary components of this structure.
Works Cited
Allison, H. E. (n.d.). Kant’s three propositions, the supreme principle of morality, and the need for moral philosophy. Oxford Scholarship Online. Web.