Ethical Comparison Essay, Million Dollar Baby

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Ethical Comparison Essay, Million Dollar Baby
Marco Carlotti
Psi, Humber College
PSI-102-RLA
Professor Francis Syms
November 24, 2020

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In the movie Million Dollar Baby (Eastwood, 2005), Maggie, who is a very
independent and determined woman, decides to become a professional boxer. During a
match, she gets seriously injured and becomes paralyzed. The scene that I will discuss in this
paper is the request to his coach Frankie to end her life, which is the strongest scene and it
allows us to reflect on the theme of euthanasia. Even though no other person should have the
power to end someone else’s life, I understand Maggie’s point of view and I empathize with
her coach and, in the same situation, I might have the same desire as Maggie. This decision
would reflect John Stuart Mill’s theory of utilitarianism. In contrast, Immanuel Kant’s theory
would not support this course of action.
Because of an accident during her world title match, Maggie became permanent
paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a respirator. As a consequence, she is
bedridden and without hope of recovery, this made her dependent on others for every simple
daily task, which increased her feelings of hopelessness and depression. Later on, after many
days of physical and psychological pain, she told Frankie: “I got what I needed, boss. Got it
all. Don’t let them keep taking it away from me. Don’t let me lie her till I can’t hear those
people chanting no more”. This is why she asked Frankie to help her die (Eastwood, 2005).
According to J. S. Mill’s Utilitarianism, when making an ethical decision, it is
important to consider the consequences of that course of action. In this case, the consequence
of Maggie’s death is that she is not going to suffer anymore. From her point of view, this will
also let her avoid becoming a burden on others. Therefore, this also reflects the view that an
ethical choice is the one that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number (Humber
School of Social & Community Services, 2016).
Normally, it would be totally unethical to ask someone to assist you in killing yourself,
but in this case, we must consider the circumstances. For example, Maggie is a person who
always took care of herself both from a personal and a financial point of view, in addition,
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because of her boxing career, for the first time after a hard early life she was able to travel
and enjoy life to the fullest, so she cannot see the point of just existing in a hospital bed. This
point is also reflected in the words that we use to describe death according to different
circumstances, such as murder, suicide, and euthanasia. There currently is an ongoing debate
in different countries all over the world about euthanasia and one of the most discussed points
is the one related to the circumstances in which to allow it. In fact, it is hard to decide on
universal situations in which to allow someone to receive medical assistance in dying
(Kenny, 2016).
One downside of using a Utilitarian framework to make an ethical decision is that there
is no way of predicting with absolute certainty the outcome of an action, therefore there is no
way to know what the consequences of our actions will be (Humber School of Social &
Community Services, 2016). Maggie believed that other people lives would be much better
without having to take care of her, but she cannot actually know how her death will affect the
people that care about her and even her fans.
In contrast, Immanuel Kant focused more on divine rules and moral directives. As a
result, in order to make ethical decisions, people must determine what their obligations to
other people are (Humber School of Social & Community Services, 2016). For example,
Maggie’s request is not ethical because she does not keep in mind that Frankie has
obligations as well that are in contrast with her wish. In addition, Kant states that humans are
rational but, in situations like this one, it is impossible to think rationally because there are
many different feelings involved in the decision.
In complete opposition with J. S. Mill, Immanuel Kant believes that something is
morally right when it is always the right ethical choice and he does not allow a view of “the
means justify the ends”. Therefore, one must focus on the intent behind the action and choose
an action that could fulfil a dutiful moral obligation to others (Humber School of Social &
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Community Services, 2016). According to this view, violence is always condemned,
therefore Kant would not support Maggie’s decision of dying. In fact, the concept of
categorical imperative is a key part of Kant’s theory, and people should not be used to attain
their desired end result, which is exactly what Maggie did with her choice.
Despite Kant’s theory, I still support Maggie’s choice in the movie, and I prefer to
analyze this important ethical dilemma through a Utilitarian framework. I am strongly firm
on this choice because I would make the same, in a situation like this I should be able to
decide what is the best for my life and I think it is one of my rights. In fact, I believe that
when making moral choices one should consider the circumstances and use discretion to
make judgments.
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REFERENCES
Eastwood, C., Swank, H., Freeman, M., Ruddy, A. S., Rosenberg, T., Haggis, P.,
Toole, F. X. Warner Home Video (Firm). (2005). Million dollar baby. Burbank, CA: Warner
Home Video.
Humber School of Social & Community Services (2016). Protection Security and
Investigations Ethics Course Reader ‘Kant’. Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced
Learning. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Humber School of Social & Community Services (2016). Protection Security and
Investigations Ethics Course Reader ‘Mill’. Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced
Learning. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kenny, K. (2016, January 26). Euthanasia debate: The international context. Retrieved
from https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/76243294/euthanasia-debate-the-international-
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Ethical Comparison Essay, Million Dollar Baby

Psi, Humber College

Professor Francis Syms

November 24, 2020

independent and determined woman, decides to become a professional boxer. During a

would not support this course of action.

According to J. S. Mill’s Utilitarianism, when making an ethical decision, it is

School of Social & Community Services, 2016).

universal situations in which to allow someone to receive medical assistance in dying

people that care about her and even her fans.

many different feelings involved in the decision.

In complete opposition with J. S. Mill, Immanuel Kant believes that something is

Community Services, 2016). According to this view, violence is always condemned,

Learning. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learning. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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