The Ethics of “A Beautiful Mind” Essay Sample
The Ethics of “A Beautiful Mind” Essay Sample

The Ethics of “A Beautiful Mind” Essay Sample

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  • Pages: 14 (3605 words)
  • Published: August 25, 2018
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By examining the basic substance of the movie.

The film "A Beautiful Mind" portrays real events from John Nash's life, and brings up several ethical concerns related to the representation of mental illnesses and their societal perception.

The ethical concerns arising from a popular media event, including the individuality of such concerns, the use of an ethical theory to address public worries when entertainment is used to deceive, and the values displayed by modifying an art form for amusement, are all important considerations in this movie and other forms of entertainment. The focus is on the ethical responsibility involved in making decisions and taking necessary steps to address these concerns in society.

The depiction of mentally ill characters often involves equating them with murderers or sociopaths, rather than recognizing their condition as a medical issue.

Popular culture has depicted ce

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rtain individuals with mental disabilities as either sources of amusement or pity. Examples include Norman Bates in Psycho, Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs, Bobby Bouchet in The Waterboy, and John Nash in A Beautiful Mind. Unfortunately, this portrayal and exploitation for entertainment purposes has resulted in a lack of understanding and neglect towards their real requirements. Furthermore, other characters typically react to them with fear and dread.

Intense intervention is often necessary to control mental unwellness, whether it is due to malicious interference or unwavering support. However, the importance of such intervention is sometimes minimized and overlooked.

In the images provided, Norman Bates, Hannibal Lector, and John Nash were all confined to mental institutions against their will. In the final scene of Psycho, Bates is depicted sitting in a padded room while wearing a straitjacket. Lector i

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primarily shown behind a thick glass barrier throughout most of his film. The actual treatments received by either character are not shown.

John Nash undergoes chemical daze therapy and takes medication for his illness in the film A Beautiful Mind. Nevertheless, the visual depiction of mental illnesses affecting him and other characters leads to an inaccurate perception of their disabling effects. Entertainment media is also guilty of promoting this misconception by erroneously equating schizophrenia with multiple dissociative disorders, as reported by The Western Journal of Medicine.

In 2001, two conditions were recognized: schizophrenia, which creates challenges in differentiating between reality and imagination, and multiple dissociative disorder, which entails the presence of various personalities within a single individual. Furthermore, individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are also subject to negative societal reactions.

A male adult with schizophrenia discharged a firearm in the United States Capitol building. This has caused concern for Laurie Flynn, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, regarding the potential negative response towards individuals with mental illnesses.

The fear of mental illness is widespread among the general public, as demonstrated in films. A significant issue is that mentally ill individuals can blend in undetected in normal society. This was observed in 1998. Dr.

Lector, previously known as a great head-shrinker, inexplicably became a deranged cannibalistic serial killer.

Dr. John Nash was a highly respected member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology community. He made groundbreaking contributions to mathematical theory during his pursuit of a doctoral degree, but later experienced paranoid schizophrenia. This mental illness is often portrayed in movies like Disturbia, which creates fear around those who suffer from it. Additionally, Dr. John F. is concerned about the

potential for violent behavior in individuals with this condition living nearby.

Nash Jr. Movie contrasts with the Real Life events depicted in A Beautiful Mind, in which Russell Crowe plays Dr. John Nash and his battle with paranoid schizophrenic disorder. The movie depicts his hallucinations as three individuals.

Nash was both a roommate and a friend, as well as a hired secret agent tasked by the authorities with discovering hidden messages in magazines. However, after his initial investigation, Nash is subjected to intense counseling and powerful medication.

Although the medicine did help him, he discontinued use because it hindered his mathematical and cognitive abilities. Throughout his life, his wife provided unwavering support while his friends offered varying degrees of assistance, including a position on a module that was mostly honorary. His condition did not pose a direct threat to anyone and he was never physically violent towards those around him. The incident where he nearly harmed his baby son was uncommon, and even then, he thought the baby was under supervision.

Displayed at the end of the movie, Nash is shown receiving the Nobel Prize for his doctoral thesis in 1994. During an interview focused on his mental well-being, Nash insists that he is currently sound due to his prescribed medication. Dr. John Nash is portrayed in the scene.

After being diagnosed, the existing individual experienced a much tougher life. Their spouse divorced them in 1963 due to safety concerns, but they eventually reconciled several years later and remarried in 2001, though their relationship remained non-romantic during their cohabitation.

In 1998, Nasar reported that Nash's spouse referred to him as a tenant and their cohabitation mirrored that

of distant family members. Nash once even escaped to Europe in an effort to evade his assailants.

According to Dr. Nash's 1994 autobiography, he was discharged from mental institutions after briefly abandoning his delusional beliefs and using medication. He also stated that when his thinking was logical, he felt more limited in his cognitive abilities.

In contrast to the majority of schizophrenic patients, Nash has refrained from taking medication to treat his symptoms since 1970. He opted instead to disregard his hallucinations and auditory delusions, ultimately facilitating his recovery as a result of recognizing their lack of veracity. The movie illustrates this concept through the character of the little girl who remains perpetually young. While he acknowledges hearing voices, Nash maintains that he has never observed any tangible manifestations of them.

There is ongoing debate about the self-initiated recovery of the person's illness. The film left out several aspects of the illness, including his belief in being the Emperor of Antarctica and sending threatening letters to US authorities. Despite being portrayed as relatively inactive, the individual remains integrated into society.

A prevalent indication of paranoid schizophrenia is privacy, as stated by the American Psychiatric Society in 2000. The movie briefly explores this aspect through the overwhelming privacy portrayed in the piece. However, it fails to showcase his departure from MIT or his subsequent relocation to Europe.

During an interview, Nash was adamant about his abstention from medication, although he acknowledged that the film portrayed him using medication in the end. He fully endorses the use of medication for treating schizophrenia, but personally decided against it.

Ethics pertains to what is considered moral or immoral, good or bad. Values are considered standards

or criteria of an individual or group. Ethical theories and principles serve as the basis for ethical analysis since they provide a perspective that can guide decision-making (Ridley, 1998).

When public concerns are raised over the use of an amusement-related symbol to deceive, it poses an ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemmas can arise in various forms in advertising. Two major forms include ethics of character and ethics of behavior. Both are integral to any organization and individual. Ethics of character deal with determining the kind of individuals that should constitute society, and adhering to such a virtuous idea.

Aristotle, the renowned philosopher, promoted various empirical, scientific, and commonsense methods for thinking. One of his ethical principles, referred to as "Aristotle's Mean," has gained recognition over time.

According to Christians et al. (2005), practical wisdom determines that moral virtuousness is an intermediate state. Aristotelianism posits that it is a balance between extremes of action or passion, while moral virtuousness is a stable characteristic of the will.According to Christians, the concept of moral virtue can be defined in Aristotle's terms as a permanent aspect of one's will that resides in a state between extremes and is evaluated by the criteria of practical wisdom. This is stated directly by Aristotle himself.

One more ethical theory, which addresses public concerns, is the ethics of behavior and conduct. This theory emphasizes on what actions the world should perform instead of the kind of people it should have. Egoism is one among three theories that cover this idea (et Al. 2005).

Three moral theories exist, including Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Egoism. The latter proposes that one's own self should be the focus and purpose of their

actions, with two variations: descriptive and normative.

Hospers presents two perspectives on the concept of egoism using different approaches. The descriptive discrepancy views egoism as a realistic depiction of individuals' personal affairs. This means that humans are driven by their own personal interests and desires, and cannot be portrayed in any other way. In contrast, the normative discrepancy suggests that people ought to be motivated in this manner, irrespective of their current behavioral motivations.

Although there are different forms of ethical egoism, it is crucial to acknowledge that the emphasis on social responsibility in the Potter Box model contradicts the belief that individuals should prioritize their own interests. The concept of egoism speaks to the motivation behind human behavior, as people act for various reasons. However, this question delves into the heart of humanity and seeks to uncover what drives individuals to act in certain ways. (2000).

Human behavior can stem from various motives, including faith in a higher power, working to benefit the planet, or helping loved ones. Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that prioritizes achieving positive outcomes and values.

Utilitarianism, a concept that has evolved over centuries, posits that the ultimate goal of decision making is happiness and pleasure. This ethical viewpoint also emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the effects of available options on moral decision making, ultimately resulting in sound ethical choices that promote valued outcomes. Widely spread in North American society and well-developed in philosophy, Utilitarianism urges individuals to make conscientious calculations when deliberating between good and bad alternatives.

Although there are various options to consider, they all share the belief that individuals should determine right from wrong by choosing what will benefit human well-being

the most. The ethically correct choice results in the maximum positive impact over negative consequences. Ultimately, what matters in making the right decision is the amount of good promoted and evil restrained (Christians et al., 2005).

Immanuel Kant's doctrine, known as Kantianism, prioritizes responsibility over emotional feelings unlike older theories. His writings greatly influenced the understanding and study of ethics. Kant believed in the existence of higher truths that surpassed physical existence, and saw moral conscience as innate in every human being from birth.

Kant's belief was that individuals must follow their moral principles and avoid immoral actions. He supported the idea that people ought to do what is right, as this is deemed rational according to him. Hursthouse (2007) noted that Kant viewed moral laws as necessary for rationality.

Kant established the categorical imperative, which states that what is morally right for one person is right for everyone. He also advised using this principle to assess the morality of our actions, saying, "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." To properly describe values, one must first understand the concept of ethics.

The concept of ethical motives concerns the distinction between what is considered morally acceptable and unacceptable, positive or negative. Meanwhile, valuess refer to the established rules or standards of an individual or community. Throughout any decision-making process, values play a role that reflects underlying assumptions about human nature and societal interactions.

Deformation for amusement in art reveals underlying values, similarly to any decision-making process that necessitates value differentiation. Ethical considerations arise with the creation of popular films and TV shows that tackle

social issues and affect audiences' beliefs and behavior. (Brown, A., Singhal.)

One way that the use of deformation in art forms can deceive or mislead the audience is demonstrated by its utilization. The ethical values of the objects affected by the decreases, alterations, or increases resulting from an action may dictate its value.

According to Scott (2002), making artistic decisions such as changing a real story, omitting or altering certain parts that may confuse or offend viewers, rearranging the timeline, or adding fictional characters to historical events are equally important ethical choices as choosing an actor or camera angle. These choices form the basis of critical judgment.

Moreover, the interpretation of deformation as a form of entertainment in art is subjective. It encompasses not only aesthetic values such as being harmonious, pleasing, and innovative, but also moral values.

The impact of professional values on shaping movies with regards to human engagement, entertainment, innovation, and attention to detail.

There is a debate about whether distortion in the art world is unethical or simply a matter of interpretation and evaluation. While values play a significant role in judging art, it is not necessarily unethical to alter a vision in an art form. The larger concern is identifying ethical standards in the entertainment industry.

When creating a movie, such as "A Beautiful Mind" which aimed to depict the story of John Nash, some elements were altered or misconstrued to add entertainment value for viewers.

What obligation does a filmmaker have to prevent distortion, fraudulence, coercion, or betrayal, whether it be explicit or covert?

Despite the idea that certain actions may serve a greater purpose, such as exposing wrongdoing or sharing a story, it is important to

also prevent persuasive techniques from distorting facts, evidence, and the principles of logical argumentation.

According to Nichols (2008), whether making a movie or telling a story, the primary concern should be ensuring the wellbeing of both the subjects of the film/story and the actual viewers. It is necessary to abide by an ethical code that prioritizes respecting subjects and audiences as individual human beings, whose relationship with the filmmaker is not solely based on a formal contractual agreement. The term "deformation" refers to any alteration of an object's original shape or characteristics.

The content refers to different signifiers of information or representation such as images, sound, and wave forms. It also mentions a movie with a unique intention separate from the statements about someone named Mr. This is all within a html tag.

Scott (2002) argues that the movie adaptation of John Nash's life oversimplifies and distorts his complex story in a way that is neither morally nor artistically equivalent. However, most of the changes made for entertainment purposes do not involve unethical deformation of values.

The production of "A Beautiful Mind" successfully portrayed John Nash's life and experiences by making necessary alterations to the original ideas and visuals. In addition, the film emphasizes the importance of social responsibility as a means to enhance society ethically. Some people argue that genuine social responsibility requires companies to exceed minimum requirements and actively strive towards benefiting not only themselves but also those beyond their organization.

Moreover, certain companies may not benefit from certain types of social responsibility. Such businesses should prioritize their core competencies and contribute what they can. Examples of socially responsible actions vary from fundraising for disease research projects.

Supporting the

underprivileged by raising funds, encouraging community volunteering, recalling dangerous products, promoting recycling, and providing complimentary services to those in need.

The societal duty theory of entertainment asserts that the media has a responsibility to serve the public, providing truthful and diverse discussions of public issues as well as reliable updates on current events. This theory is exemplified in the film A Beautiful Life.

John Forbes Nash, the mathematical genius with a reputation for having "two parts brain and only half a part heart," fought a heroic battle with mental illness that took an incredible toll on his marriage, as depicted in A Beautiful Mind. However, the societal responsibilities conveyed in the film are still relevant today, as Nash's theories have impacted global trade discussions and evolutionary biology discoveries. Despite marrying his true love Alicia, Nash was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Within as little as two weeks, John Nash's disease began to emerge. The purpose of the film was to depict a realistic portrayal of living with his condition and highlight the crucial role that his devoted spouse Alicia played in his prolonged survival. This serves to demonstrate the societal responsibility of the movie, exhibiting the immense power of love and commitment within families. Despite suffering through grueling treatments such as electroshock therapy, John Forbes Nash persevered and is truly an admirable man.

The movie portrays how John, despite experiencing schizophrenic disorder and other mental illnesses, was able to pursue his passion and eventually won a Nobel Prize. This serves as an inspiration to those dealing with similar conditions that success is still achievable. The film is remarkable for accurately depicting Nash's challenges and how he overcame them, highlighting

the importance of social responsibility. Moreover, ethical theories aid in decision-making processes and distinguishing between right and wrong in the entertainment industry.

Both individuals and businesses must always take ethics into account, especially in the entertainment industry which faces daily ethical challenges. If wrong decisions are made or if the audience is deceived, it compromises ethics and damages trust, leading to a reputation problem. Therefore, for the entertainment industry to maintain credibility and integrity while providing entertainment, ethical practices must be prioritized.

To maintain this position, the entertainment industry can take two important steps: firstly, they must comprehend and acknowledge ethical principles, and consistently train all personnel to keep them informed and educated. Secondly,

Establishing a reliable constitutional procedure can provide accountability for staff while also allowing them to be innovative.

The amusement business should abide by the ethical advertising standards. Advertising is crucial for the country's economic growth. Complying with advertising ethics codes can help maintain a company's reputation and integrity. Nowadays, advertising ethics are often pushed to the limits just for companies to gain ratings and profits. In conclusion, films such as A Beautiful Mind raise and highlight numerous ethical issues in relation to the representation of mental illnesses and society's perception of them.

In the movie, John Nash's battle with schizophrenia was modified and simplified for entertainment purposes, while also endorsing his choice to reject medication. This could be harmful to patients with regulated mental illnesses who depend on medical treatment. It is crucial that the entertainment industry takes on a social responsibility when portraying sensitive topics like mental illness because of their significant impact on society.

The American Psychiatric Association (2000) emphasized the importance of following

ethical standards in the industry to prevent causing uncomfortable social situations while seeking financial gain. This was highlighted in their entry on "Schizophrenia" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV.

J. Besley is affiliated with American Psychiatric Publishing Inc., which is situated in Washington, District of Columbia.

(2008. Summer2008). The relationship between media usage and human values explored in Journalism; A; Mass Communication Quarterly, volume 85, issue 2, pages 311-330.

The authors of the text, Brown W. and Singhal A., wrote it in 1993. The text is enclosed in HTML paragraph tags.

Fall93). This article by Christians explores the ethical considerations of disseminating prosocial messages through popular media in the Journal of Popular Film, Television, and A; volume 21, issue 3; page 92.

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Fackler. M. . McKee. K.

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can be rewritten as "The text consisting of the words 'Woods. R. .' is contained within a set of paragraph tags."

(2005). Ethical reasoning in media ethics cases. 7th edition.

The article titled "Ethical Egoism" by Hospers J. (2000) provides Peason instruction.

The website hypertext transfer protocol: //www.utm.edu/research/iep/e/egoism.htmHursthouse has been accessed on September 13, 2009, and the information retrieved is contained within a

tag.

On September 13, 2007, R. compared different ethical theories.

The year 2009 is mentioned on the website hypertext transfer protocol://www.three.edu/cbrown/intro/ethical_theories. Duly noted in a paragraph tag.

According to an article from The Western Journal of Medicine from 2006, there is a depiction of mental illness in films.

The source is listed as 175 (4) 226.

The Mirriam-Webster resource was accessed from the Gale database on September 12, 2009.

In 2008, com. published information on Ethics which can be retrieved from their

website via the following URL: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. The retrieval date for this information was September 13, 2009.

The text includes three references, one to the website merriam-webster.com, one to the website prenhall.com, and one to the book Autobiography by Nash, J. in 1994. The references are enclosed in HTML paragraph tags.The following HTML code contains a link to Bill Nichols' article about the autobiography of Nobel laureate John Nash, retrieved on September 13, 2009 from the Nobel Prize's website at nobelprize.org.

(2008). Reflections on Ethics and Values in Policy: Towards a Codification of Morals. International Documentary Association. Documentary.org. Addressing Documental Deformation.

The website hypertext transfer protocol://www.ethicaledge.com/enron.html_LanderRidleyA provided this information on September 27, 2009. The contents were retrieved with the included .

. (1998). Retrieval of information on ethical theories and principles, dated September 13th.

Information sourced from the website hypertext transfer protocol: //www. bio. davidson. dated 2009.

On the website edu/people/kabernd/Indep/carainbow/Theories.htm, there is an article by Scott A. O. from 2002 titled "Critics notebook: A ‘mind’ is a risky thing to falsify."

The New York Times article on social responsibility was published on March 21, 2002 and can be accessed by retrieving it on September 13.

Wary.H., sourced from the website hypertext transfer protocol: //www. prenhall. com/rm_student/html/glossary/s_gloss. html, was published in 2009.

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U.S

September 12 saw the retrieval of an article from News and World Report with the reference 125 ( n6 ) . 53 ( 2 ) .

Retrieved from Gale database in 2009.

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