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Discussing Issues of Morality in Anthony Burgess
"When a man ceases to choose, he ceases to be a man" Discussing Issues of Morality in Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Orange By Linsey May This study was initiated by an interview which Burgess gave in response to the controversy and acclaim equally given to his complex classic A Clockwork Orange. Burgess suggested that the essence of the novel was an informal philosophical discussion as to the provenance of free will in issues of morality. This lead me to explore various philosophical responses to free will (mainly Pelagianism and early Existentialism ) in order to enlighten the fable that Burgess creates.
Although both the novel and Stanley Kubricks film adaptation were controversial, Burgess never intended the book to be a horror story. Burgess attempted to tackle the issue of delinquency and gang activity amongst teenagers. ... In the interview referred to before, Burgess stated " If a being can only choose good or only choose evil he does not have moral freedom" Free will has been so greatly explored over the past years because it is believed that if free will exists then there is no heaven or hell. ... But, to focus particularly on Burgess’ novel I shall use Alex, the main character as my point of focus. ... Burgess purposely chose a 14 year old as it is a time of transition in life. ... Expanding on this, I wish to explore the nature of Alexs free will and the extent of his morality. ... Alex is, according to Burgess "Deprived of the capacity to choose to commit evil" If this is so, then he has no free will, making him nothing more than a soul-less inhuman breed of monster. ... By changing Alexs morality, they are trying to play God. ... Burgess again makes the highly controversial point "Is a man who chooses bad in some way better than a man who has good imposed upon him? ... He is placed in a situation where morality and ethics are present. ... The statement made by Burgess was that gradual progression and maturity will eventually turn a confused and irrational teenager into a responsible and considerate adult (in most cases). ... His controls his own destiny and to the Pelagianists, that is the highest standard of morality any being can achieve.
Approximate Word count = 2228
Approximate Pages = 8.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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