Tuesday, February 24, 2015

What stages of moral development does Speilberg show in his film Schindler's List with the character of Amon Goeth?

Regrettably, there is not much in way of moral development
with Amon Goeth.  I think that part of this is deliberate.  It is essential that the
film represents the Nazis with a lack of moral development or moral stature.  In telling
the story of the Holocaust as a type of morality play, the Nazis represent the end of
the morality spectrum where there is little in terms of spiritual redemption or
development.   There are a few moments when Goeth does represent this.  These moments
have to be taken in isolation rather than representative of his whole character, which
does not show much in way of development.  The moment when Goeth pardons the servant for
not cleaning the tub well enough might be one example where moral development towards a
social convention end is enhanced.  Schindler's discussion of how society functions on a
conception of power whereby individuals are able to pardon one another is something that
Goeth represents in this instant.  It is undercut by his recognition of a filthy nail
from the mirror and he takes his rifle and shoots the boy in the back from a distance. 
Yet, in an isolated instant, we see the idea of moral development for a split- second. 
Obviously, when Goeth makes the deal for Schindler's workers, there is a reflection of a
moral development out of self interest, in terms of "What's in it for me?"  Goeth
represents behavior driven by motives that strictly benefit the self, in his exchange
for Schindler's workers for money.  In these two moments, there might be some level of
moral development on Goeth's part, but again, these would have to be looked in
isolation.  As Goeth is killed, his final words praising Hitler would conclude that his
life has been one where little in way of moral development has been
reached.

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