John Stuart Mill Idi Amin Moral

When analyzing a historical or fictional figure, it is important to develop a scale or benchmark by which individuals can be judged. When the scale by which a character is being evaluated is based on morality, it becomes increasingly difficult to develop because morality is not universally accepted or an eternal concept. Since morality is continually evolving, it is important to evaluate the character based on the most universally accepted concept of morality of their time. In this essay, Idi Amin, the third president of Uganda, will be evaluated based on the morality of his actions as a leader of Uganda. In order to develop a valid basis for evaluation, the school of thought developed by John Stuart Mill, a prominent English philosopher of …show more content…
Since Idi Amin is being evaluated by how he used his political and military power, a quote by Mill about the use of power was chosen to evaluate Amin. The quote by John Stuart Mills as a basis for the evaluation of Amin is as follows, “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.” It can be seen based on this quote that Idi Amin stands on the wrong side of morality that John Stuart Mill developed based on his abuse of power in his seizure power and persecution of ethnic and political groups against their will, done not in an effort to prevent harm to others, but for the physical good of Idi Amin …show more content…
To begin, Amin’s action and methods of seizure of power will be analyzed. The first action in this series of events that led to Amin’s seizure of power is his assistance in smuggling gold and ivory into Uganda with the aid of future president Obote. According to mill this was done in an effort to maintain and possible increase the physical good of Amin. By importing gold and ivory his was increasing his overall wealth, this was done at the indirect cost to others. In order to smuggle goods in the country many people would have to engage in illegal acts and according to Mill this is morally wrong. Thus, based on this act Amin is sitting on the wrong side of history. Next Amin assisted in taking down the current regime in Uganda which was again done to increase his moral good. In doing this act Amin exercised his power over members of society against their will by using the military to enforce his will. This satisfies both aspects of Mill’s quote, “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant” (Mill). Thus, Amin again falls on the wrong side of the moral line of history. His next act was supporting a rebellion that attempted to kill his former friend president Obote. This again is exercising