The Morality Machine — Episode 1: Ethics on Film
Welcome to the Morality Machine, a podcast created by Elise Hachfeld and Daniel Evans for our Computing Ethics class.
In this episode, we explore how moral philosophy applies to characters from popular films and television shows. Using ethical frameworks such as virtue, care/feminist, utilitarianism, deontology, natural law, contractarianism we ask:
What framework do these characters most align with, and why?
From Pixar animated films to iconic psychological horror, we show how film reveals the ethical dilemmas central to modern society.
Character Ethics
Up (2009): Russel
- Most Compatible: Duty, Care
- Least Compatible: Natural Law
Barbie (2023): Barbie
- Most Compatible: Care
- Least Compatible: Contractionarianism
The X-Files (1993): Agent Dana Scully
- Most Compatible: Natural Law, Duty
- Least Compatible: Contractionarianism
Finding Nemo (2003): Marlin
- Most Compatible: Natural Law, Care
- Least Compatible: Virtue
Saving Private Ryan (1998): Cpt. John Miller
- Most Compatible: Utilitarianism, Virtue
- Least Compatible: Care
The Thing (1982): R.J MacReady
- Most Compatible: Utilitarianism
- Least Compatible: Care
