Impunity and Crossing the Moral Divide

 



Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines impunity as "exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss"...in other words you can do anything you want and not have to worry about the consequences.

Impunity = Unlimited Power

 

 

Plato

 

The Greek philosopher, Plato was very interested in the relationship between unlimited power (impunity) and morality. He tells us the story of "The Ring of Gyges", when Gyges finds a ring of magical power (impunity) that causes its wearer to become invisible. Gyges ultimately uses the ring to do many immoral acts. Plato than poses the question, "If an immoral life leads to wealth, power, and fame while a virtuous life leads to poverty, powerlessness, and abuse, then why be moral?"
Plato answers his question by justifying the value of a moral life. The life of "immoral impunity" leads to self-centeredness, unhappiness, and emptiness.  The moral person has integrity, personal fulfillment, and is at peace with the type of person they are.  Plato summarizes, unlimited power is "the supreme hazard for a man" and one that must be guided "with his eyes fixed on the nature of his soul" (Republic X, 618b–e).

 

 

There is nothing inherently wrong with impunity...the problem is how we choose to use our power. Will we use our power for good to uphold our values of freedom, justice, integrity, equality, etc. or will we impose our will on others because we can? Recently in class, we contemplated the question of "crossing the moral divide" in relation to WWII and watched the following video clip about the fire bombing of Japan...as we found out...there are no easy answers.

 

 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c97NY2c93w

 

At times, in my opinion...The United States of America (a few examples listed below) has used our unlimited power with impunity to "cross the moral divide"...





Native American genocide

Slavery

Jim Crow Racism

Imperialism

Marginalization of Immigrants

Marginalization of Women

Japanese Internment

Dresden/ Tokyo Fire Bombings
Tuskegee Syphilis "Experiment"

My Lai Massacre

Tomahawk Missile Attacks

Drone "Warfare"



Questions to ponder:

• Does impunity require moral or ethical limits? 
•  When should I (United States) "cross the moral divide"?
•  Is there a morally right or wrong way in regard to impunity? 
•  Does a person (nation) with impunity have to concern themselves with morality and other people?
•  Should our values apply to our domestic and foreign policy? 
• Why be moral and choose to reject unlimited power, wealth, fame, etc.?
• What kind of person (nation) will I (we) be?

2013 Impunity?

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist."

                                                                         - Dwight David Eisenhower