Question

You want to argue that Thanos from Avengers: Endgame is a bad person/unethical because he eliminates half of the population of the universe. But you are unable to prove this using ethical theories including Virtue Ethics, Relativism, and Utilitarianism. Please help solve this ethical dilemma. Also, provide a brief summary of the main plot.

a. Summarize the ethical theories and provide examples from the film to support your argument.

b. Discuss the ethical implications of Thanos' actions from different perspectives.

c. Analyze the consequences of Thanos' decision using ethical theories.

d. Evaluate the moral dilemma presented in Avengers: Endgame.

Answer 1

Thanos' morality is subjective and difficult to analyze using Virtue Ethics, Relativism, and Utilitarianism due to different perspectives and focuses of these ethical theories. The main plot of Avengers: Endgame revolves around the Avengers' mission to undo Thanos' snap and the themes of sacrifice and redemption.

Step-by-step explanation:

While it is understandable that you find Thanos from Avengers: Endgame to be a bad person due to his actions of eliminating half of the population of the universe, it may be challenging to prove this using ethical theories such as Virtue Ethics, Relativism, and Utilitarianism as they have different perspectives on morality.

In Virtue Ethics, the focus is on developing moral character traits, and it doesn't directly address the consequences of actions. Relativism argues that ethics and morality are social constructs, so the acceptability of Thanos' actions would be dependent on societal norms. Utilitarianism, on the other hand, considers the consequences of actions and the overall happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people.

From a Virtue Ethics perspective, you could argue that Thanos lacks virtues such as compassion and empathy, but this might not be universally agreed upon. Relativism could lead to different perspectives on whether his actions were acceptable, as societal norms vary. Utilitarianism might provide a more nuanced analysis as it takes into account the overall consequences of the action and the greater good, even though it doesn't directly address the morality of Thanos' decision.

Ultimately, the debate about the morality of Thanos' actions will depend on individual perspectives and the ethical theories one subscribes to.

Avengers: Endgame is the epic conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga. In the film, the Avengers embark on a mission to undo Thanos' snap that wiped out half of all life in the universe. They travel back in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones and restore the decimated population. The plot revolves around themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of wielding great power.