Another Watchmen post
So, here's another question- one we discussed in class: Was Veidt justified? I came late to class, so I'm not sure what everyone else's opinions are.
I think Veidt was completely unjustified. He had no guarantee that there would have been nuclear war if he didn't act, nor did he have any guarantee that his actions would prevent nuclear war. He took a gamble with people's lives- people who didn't agree to it.
Were Dan and Lori justified in keeping Veidt's secret? Well, I kinda think they're wimps. Still, I can't honestly say I wouldn't do the same thing... does that make my opinion that Veidt was wrong total bullsh*t? Maybe, but there it is.
This whole thing reminds me of a moral philosophy question I heard once. If a train was about to run over a group of five people, and you could pull the switch at the intersection so that it goes down a different track and runs over one different person, thus sparing the five, would you?
I think Veidt was completely unjustified. He had no guarantee that there would have been nuclear war if he didn't act, nor did he have any guarantee that his actions would prevent nuclear war. He took a gamble with people's lives- people who didn't agree to it.
Were Dan and Lori justified in keeping Veidt's secret? Well, I kinda think they're wimps. Still, I can't honestly say I wouldn't do the same thing... does that make my opinion that Veidt was wrong total bullsh*t? Maybe, but there it is.
This whole thing reminds me of a moral philosophy question I heard once. If a train was about to run over a group of five people, and you could pull the switch at the intersection so that it goes down a different track and runs over one different person, thus sparing the five, would you?