|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
The recently viewed John Travolta film " A Civil Action" was laden abundant examples of ethical issues; ethical judgments and ethical hypocrisy. A voice over carried the film's opening moment where a young savvy John Travolta was preparing and about to engage in a civil court personal injury case. The voice over entailed Travolta's character stating that the "perfect victim" was a white 40 year old male in the prime of his earning potential. This was because the individual would be "valued" by the court to have a great deal of earning potential and thus the monetary compensation for his life or anything done unto would be substantial. Subsequently; the least valuable of victims were children. And thus the film begins by showing the perverse practice of valuation on human life; as well as the precedent set for importance via age, class, etc. During the films initial scene, Travolta a.k.a. "Jan" was presenting a wheel-chair ridden accident victim to the court room in an effort to coax the defending lawyers into a settlement. The procedure in itself was commonplace in the court of law. However, the notion that this individuals suffering was a reason for great celebration and joy among the lawyers was exemplary of the paradoxical relationship between law practice and ethics. The end justified the means in the world of Jan and his firm partners; and hence discovering a person of such sorrow and grief stricken was a significant positive acquisition in clientele. Eventually a jury member begins to sob and this causes a bargaining defense attorney to offer a $2 million dollar settlement in order to prevent their client from being "dragged through the mud" and get the emotional negative publicity which could be detrimental to whatever endeavors the defendant was representative of. Following the cases conclusion, a visibly elated "Jan" is shown being interviewed by the press, at which time he iterates that his cause and reasoning behind his efforts and celebratory nature of his victory was because he fought to right the wrongful pain and suffering of his victims. He claimed that he went to bed at night thinking about the nature of their horrid predicaments and empathized with the,. Yet all along he is happy with the result of the situation ( his own financial gain ) and empathy is infact the least of his characteristics at the movies start.
Approximate Word count = 1467
Approximate Pages = 5.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|