The entirety of the Star Wars sage hinges on its main theme of hope. The film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is no exception to the rule. The character Cassian Andor is an interesting figure in the film as his rationale for his actions in the Rebellion are based in hope, which would appear to be noble and good, but has lead him to make decisions that are morally gray. In think paper I shall argue that the moral framework that best describes that actions of Cassian Andor in Rogue One is through the lens of utilitarianism by John Stewart Mills and Jeremy Bentham. I shall explore how and why Cassian embodies this theory in his actions throughout the film, and I shall also compare him Chirrut Imwe and Jyn, who employ Soren Kierkegaard’s philosophies
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The philosophy of utilitarianism dictates that the happiness of the greatest number of people in society is the most important and dictates what kind of actions are considered good. (_) Morality in this sense is circumstantial, there is no absolute moral principle or ethic. This logic also strives to fulfill the questions of “what a man ought to do” to be good, which is to consider and care for others and their happiness, even at the expense of a small number of others or themselves. (_) However, as this view is more hedonistic, pleasure and self-righteousness at all cost is a utilitarian value. Pain is not an outcome that is valued, thus one must weigh in on how much pleasure or happiness their actions will bring, versus pain. …show more content…
Cassian’s logic here would be either to take the life of the informant to escape, or risk capture by imperial troopers. More good will come out of the knowledge being taken to the Rebel Alliance who now have the opportunity to save planets, even at the expense of the life Cassian had to take. This is a dangerous line of thinking however, as it is difficult to calculate what is good and what is evil. Prior to meeting Jyn Erso, Cassian is resolute in his cause, in the perception that all of his actions, no matter how dangerous or questionable are justified in serving the Rebellion’s cause. The means, for Cassian justify, the
The philosophy of utilitarianism dictates that the happiness of the greatest number of people in society is the most important and dictates what kind of actions are considered good. (_) Morality in this sense is circumstantial, there is no absolute moral principle or ethic. This logic also strives to fulfill the questions of “what a man ought to do” to be good, which is to consider and care for others and their happiness, even at the expense of a small number of others or themselves. (_) However, as this view is more hedonistic, pleasure and self-righteousness at all cost is a utilitarian value. Pain is not an outcome that is valued, thus one must weigh in on how much pleasure or happiness their actions will bring, versus pain. …show more content…
Cassian’s logic here would be either to take the life of the informant to escape, or risk capture by imperial troopers. More good will come out of the knowledge being taken to the Rebel Alliance who now have the opportunity to save planets, even at the expense of the life Cassian had to take. This is a dangerous line of thinking however, as it is difficult to calculate what is good and what is evil. Prior to meeting Jyn Erso, Cassian is resolute in his cause, in the perception that all of his actions, no matter how dangerous or questionable are justified in serving the Rebellion’s cause. The means, for Cassian justify, the