Introduction
Based on Ugandan history in the 1970s, the movie The Last King of Scotland presents encounters of Nicholas Garrigan, the young Scottish doctor who came to Africa expecting adventures. He comes in contact with Idi Amin and becomes charming and dreadful when he is chosen to be the doctor of the charismatic dictator. Garrigan was pleasantly swept by Amin’s appealing promises of change and modernization. However, he became a horrified witness to acts of violence conducted by a regime. As Garrigan continues his self-examination and realizes Amin’s dominion of terror, he struggles to uphold his moral values and makes hard ethical choices that sometimes unsettle his core principles. Through one of the eye-witnesses of Amin’s private doctor, who faced the dilemma of a consequentialist on the collision course, the film illustrates the definition of utilitarianism theory in the context of a medical-ethical dilemma. The movie reveals how ethical theories can be applied in contemporary life, demonstrating ethical conflicts and values in society.
Utilitarianism in Action
Utilitarianism bases its principle on the concepts of the significant good for the significantly larger number and utility maximization. Such is portrayed through Amin’s arguments for being above the prescription of human rights abuse. Amin contends that his severe actions, including the forceful eviction of Asians from Uganda, are meant for the well-being of the state, regardless of some people suffering from it. Also, Amin explains his oppression of dissent and political violence as core for preserving stability and boosting the productivity of the nation. Nicholas’s perception forms around Amin’s utilitarianism, outlining his thoughts that his actions ensure the country’s common good.
(Baranova & Duoblienė, 2020). He sees the cruelty inflicted on political opponents and ordinary people without immunity, which gives him cause for concern. Garrigan’s journey toward moral maturity becomes a breakthrough where he reconsiders welfares bases of ethics and adopts a more complex view of ethical principles.
Medical-Ethical Dilemma Analysis
The life-and-death decision we watch Garrigan make to perform medical procedures on the political prisoners without their will could be treated as one of the main medical-ethical problems that the patient meets in the film. Thereby, his adherence to his professional obligation of safeguarding the welfare of his patients and patient autonomy is contradicted (Khater & Saab, 2022). Garrigan must deal with a moral dilemma that interpersonal ethics and safety demands. The primary protagonist, at the beginning, is inclined to follow the instructions given, but as he witnesses the kind of torture on innocent people, he becomes unwilling and feels guilty. People might feel it is suitable for him to follow instructions, while the majority upholds the principle of utilitarianism, making his medical actions wrong (Baranova & Duoblienė, 2020). He may rationalize his favourable assessments as a means to deter losses and maintain order, and in the end, this could be in line with higher principles. Nevertheless, when he observes the appalling plights of those being inhumanely treated by the victims, Garrigan starts to doubt the pragmatism of such calculus. He realizes that his conduct is aligned with the oppressive rule rather than disrupting it; thus, he keeps reconsidering his ethical responsibilities, eventually making him fight against the regime.
Moral Values and Conflict
The film demonstrates the moral values of integrity, compassion, and justice. In the course of the movie, these values are practical until when Amin becomes power-hungry. Ethical tension within Garrigan and between his inner self and the outer reality is vital, as he has to face self-reflection on his deeds. His internal conflict to make peace with himself about his compliance with Amin’s heinous deeds and his ethical beliefs and values puts him in a dilemma. Externally, Garrigan is faced with the moral predicament of which of the two, his safety or the confrontation of all the wrongs being perpetrated by the regime.
Moral of the Story
The Last King of Scotland is such a sarcastic film that one cannot disassociate himself from the tragedy of moral relativism. It is another story of immoral versus moral; therefore, it is a reminder of the importance of morality in the fight against evil. Garrigan’s voyage highlights such concepts of human rights and justice, which are universal and superior to cultural norms and sociological practices. However, the movie depicts a challenging test of an individual’s ability to grope through the possible slipperiness of ethical dilemmas in environments ridden by oppression and the relevance of courage in being true to one’s deed (Baranova & Duoblienė, 2020). The movie revolves around three central and paramount moral concepts, featuring the ideas of utilitarianism, moral conflict, and values, with the most prominent moral of the story being integrity, compassion, and the pursuit of justice as the takeaway.
Conclusion
The movie portrays prominent utilitarianism and its corresponding complexity in comprehending a dictatorship. The film makes users deliberate by how Nicholas Garrrigans’s moral course of events plays as the person focuses more on the greater good or considers personal ethical actions. Garrigan begins his philosophical expedition by aligning with Amin’s utilitarian rationales, given the practicality of this approach to such environments. Garrigan’s position as the protagonist and sole caregiver in the absence of his superior is a powerful representation of how people struggle with ethical complexities in precarious conditions. Such brings to view the significance of integrity, compassion, and justice as individuals adhere to such principles when faced with personal risk. The film is an educative tool that demonstrates the sustainability of moral beliefs to end oppression and injustices. The movie tackles utilitarianism, moral conflict, and values, making the viewers reflect on these timeless lessons engendered by such great qualities of integrity, compassion, and justice demonstrated in adversity.
Reflection
“The Last King of Scotland” is an ideal film that has taught me several issues about medical-ethical dilemmas and ethical theories. I learned that the core value is crucial for ethical awareness that controls decision-making. I got tips by following through with Nicholas Garrigan’s moral dilemma based on how he deliberated about what was right and wrong in a foreign land. I realized that moral principles remain valid in complicated and unpleasant situations and should be adhered to impartially (Khater & Saab, 2022). I also noted that it is crucial to have moral courage in combating injustice and oppression. Garrigan’s choice to be Amin’s resister and reveal the truth displays the triumph of moral fortitude over tyranny in social adjustment. Resonating within the move, I need to raise my voice against wrong deeds and speak for the truth personally and professionally. The highlight of “The Last King of Scotland” is that values of honesty and integration of morally upright actions in life will lead to a positive moral outcome. Thus, I can be an agent of a more equitable society free of injustices and ethical misdemeanours in my daily life and as a professional.
References
Baranova, J., & Duoblienė, L. (2020). Meeting with the ‘unfamiliar other’in multimodal education. Ethics and Education, 15(1), 33-47.
Khater, B., & Saab, B. R. (2022). The Last King of Scotland: using film to explore our understanding of professionalism. British Journal of General Practice, 72(721), 394–394.
The Two Faces of Tyranny | What The Last King of Scotland is Really About (Film Analysis). (n.d.).Www.youtube.com.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlUbSm_VLP8&list=PLjatTCIg1gFu6aOu-ZvpaXEZN030VBtCY&index=9
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