Letteratura | Filosofia | Lingue
Aris Mercurio, 2006 | Ascona, TI
This research closely examines Christopher Nolan’s film «Oppenheimer» (2023), taking a philosophical approach, particularly from a Kantian perspective, to address the moral questions linked to the creation and use of the atomic bomb. The paper is divided into five parts: an introduction that outlines the context and research question, a description and summary of the film’s plot, a discussion of the philosophical theme through the analysis of two works by Immanuel Kant («Kritik der praktischen Vernunft» and «Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten»), an analysis of the film from both formal and philosophical angles, and a concluding section. This research mainly looks at how Kant might have judged the actions of the film’s main character. The conclusion argues that the German philosopher would have likely rejected moral reasoning based on the calculation of consequences, which some well-known figures have employed to justify the use of nuclear weapons. Instead, he would have advocated for following universal laws based on reason, ultimately condemning the development and use of the atomic bomb.
Argomento
The work’s argument is a philosophical and ethical examination of the historic use of the atomic bomb. The film «Oppenheimer» and the reading of two of Kant’s moral writings are used to analyze this historical event.
Metodologia
The technical analysis of a scene in the film and the analytical philosophical interpretation of two of Kant’s works («Kritik der praktischen Vernunft» and «Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten») are the methods used in this work. Sequences , points of view, script parameters, and other technical aspects are examined in the film analysis. The philosophic analysis is based on the traditional exegetical approach of analytical extraction of contents. Lastly, a cross-referencing approach was applied to the philosophical and cinematic contents.
Risultati
According to the analysis, the atomic bomb cannot be morally justified by calculating its consequences. Kant’s categorical imperative states that an action is only morally justified if its guiding principle can be applied universally without producing contradictions. It is impossible to universalize the maxim that would support the intentional killing of civilians in order to gain a strategic advantage, and as a result, it cannot become a universal moral law. Therefore, the creation and application of the atomic bomb would be morally unacceptable within a Kantian framework. As a result, the findings contribute many philosophical points to the particular ethical discussion.
Discussione
The results seem clear and well-fit in the original research hypothesis. Someone might object that the specific use of Kant in such a ethical question seems instrumental and functional to the conclusion. This is only partially true, since Kant is only one of the many philosophers that would have argued for similar conclusions. While acknowledging, in a self-critical manner, if not explained and argued adequately, that the use of Kant theories only could be a slight methodological flaw, the limitations imposed for the work at the time I wrote it (i.e. during my last year of Highschool) were decisive factors that lead to inevitably reduce the framework of the research to only one philosopher. The most significant potential improvement that can be seen at the moment is to diversify the work, comparing more theses and more arguments from different positions.
Conclusioni
This research shows that from a Kantian perspective, the development and use of the atomic bomb would likely be morally unacceptable. Kant’s ethics rejects actions justified only by their consequences and instead requires adherence to universal moral principles. Therefore, the idea of the atomic bomb as a “necessary evil” would be difficult to justify within Kantian moral philosophy. The work shows that it is possible to find philosophical solid bases to argue against the use of nuclear weapons. The remaining open questions are the possible analysis of further significant scenes that would have “nuanced” the interpretative part of the work, making it more complete and convincing.
Valutazione del lavoro espressa dall’esperta
Dr. Vega Tescari
Il lavoro analizza il film «Oppenheimer» (regia Christopher Nolan, 2023) proponendone una lettura dalla prospettiva della filosofia morale di Kant.
La ricerca dimostra acutezza, sensibilità e impegno nell’approfondimento, sviluppando un approccio interdisciplinare originale che applica all’analisi filmica la chiave di lettura filosofica. Quale ulteriore avallo delle sue tesi, il candidato analizza in particolare una sequenza del film allargando in questo modo lo spettro metodologico della ricerca e la consistenza critica del percorso argomentativo.
Menzione:
Argento
Facoltà Teologia Lugano
Docente: Docente Vega Tescari