Section
8: Kevin Casillas: Installment 1 – Game of Thrones
For
this 1st installment, I have decided to write about Game of Thrones
and its philosophy. In the TV show, there are seven kingdoms, and are ruled by
one king. The seven kingdoms each have their own Lord, or someone in charge
that controls the city. Most of these people have their own philosophy on how
to manage a city. They also have their beliefs, religions, and philosophies
that are quite different from each other. We have several philosophies, for
example, the Tywin Lannister’s philosophy, Daenerys Targaryen’s philosophy, and
Ned & Robbs Stark’s philosophy.
Tywin Lannister’s philosophy is
probably the more gruesome philosophy in my opinion. Tywin believes controlling
and maintaining power is the happiness of life. He does it so he can carry out
his cause, belief, and to have legacy to leave behind for the rest of the world
to see. A great comparison to Tywin would be Niccolo Machiavelli. “Machiavelli is most well-known for his writing
of The Prince, and what has become known as “Machiavellianism”, which
refers to being duplicitous or deceitful to get ahead.” Another thing Tywin is
known for is the ability to plan his moves, and always be one step ahead of the
enemy. But he is not always brutal, and violent for every circumstance he comes
across. He’s brutal the situation calls for it, or when it is necessary. “He
once remarks to Joffrey, “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel
and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to
their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you.” This exemplifies
Tywin, and his willingness to be brutal, but not blindly so. He plans and
plots, he’s duplicitous, and he’s clearly out for his own best interests first
and foremost.”
Daenerys Targaryen’s philosophy is the savior. In the show, she free slaves,
cares for other people, and puts the greater good above herself. She is
merciful, but at the same time if you ever did cross her she would punish you
without hesitation. People described her as the breaker of chains since she
would free many people as she can. In one season, she decided to free a city of
slaves who were owned by rich people. So, asked them to release them in
exchange for something, but they refused to do so. Daenerys then attacked them
and freed the slaves. In the end, she is the breaker of chains, and cares about
other people.
Ned and Rob’s philosophy are the
opposite of Tywin Lannister. They have honor, and respect for everyone. Ned and
Rob are more based on “moral absolutism. “Virtue, as described by Aristotle
throughout his Nicomachean Ethics, is about voluntary and habitual
actions and self-training, both intellectually and morally. You knowingly and
willingly act with your highest character, for the sake of it and not for
reward, and this is key–you do it even despite consequences.” In the show Ned
believes in slaughtering everyone who is an enemy of the crown. He believes in
justice, and a trial for everyone. He does the right things even knowing it
could harm him or even kill him.
We can see in Game of Thrones no one
is safe, whether it be yourself, belief, or honor. We have these powerful people fighting what
they believe, whether it costs your life, humanity, or your pride. I want to
leave a couple questions for you. Which philosophy do you associate more? Do
you believe we have similar philosophies in the modern world?
"you do it even despite consequences" - so maybe you'll want to bring Kant into the conversation in your next post?
ReplyDeleteDaenerys Targaryen’s philosophy is admirable, I'm glad to hear about her triumphs in freeing the slaves. It's common for people not to react on the brutalities slaves endure, but to see her taking matters into her own hands is remarkable.
ReplyDelete