In the movies, Javert is one of the main cast who believes in rule of law and also respect the authority of the justice system. Firstly, Duty-based also know as Deontological ethics. It is derived from the Greek words for duty (deon) and science (or study) of (logos). It talks about the action we take if it is right or wrong and it’s under a series of various rules and it should’t be based on the consequence of our action. It means that rules should be followed and obey. For instance, if there is a law that lie is forbidden it means that it is immoral or an offends to lie because it is against the law, even if lying can prevent you from being executed or serving life sentence. In contrast, a utilitarian approach to ethics looks at the consequences of actions to judge their morality. Utilitarianism is a form of significance and view what is moral any situation in order to maximize a favourable effects. So a utilitarian will love to say that it is good to lie as long as it will save the life of a person. Javert is a deontological thinker his first encounter with jean valjean, he tells him that he is a thief who stole a loaf of bread and has been justly punished because he broke the law while valjean explains that that he stole the loaf of bread because of this starving niece. Valjean used utilitarian reasoning here- he explain that he broke the law because of his starving niece who was dying. Meaning that he will bring more good in saving his niece than obeying the law, while Javert uses a deontological response to answer valjean when he asked him for mercy : ‘You will starve again, unless you learn the meaning of the law! For Javert he believes that obeying deals with the totality of morality. In his solo words he mentioned how important the law was to him. He believed that without the law there will be chaos. He is of the view that laws are laws and he believe in rule of law. What is Rule of law? it talks about the supremacy of the constitution, which signify that nobody is above the law. Those who violates laws of the land should be brought before justice and needs to face the consequences. Also, when he saw Fantine who is almost dying that does not sway his believe to the law: I have heard such protestations Every day for twenty years Let’s have no more explanations Save your breath and save your tears Honest work, just reward, That’s the way to please the Lord. Javert is from a poor background and his parent are criminal, but he was determine not to let his background to limit his ambition and choose by strictly following the rules no matter what the situation: Dare you talk to me of crime And the price you had to pay Every man is born in sin Every man must choose his way You know nothing of Javert I was born inside a jail I was born with scum like you I am from the gutter too! However, later on his view on laws and other things began to change as the story progresses in the movie, he begins to understand and take note that people can change because of a reason or the other. While watching the movie with my friends, some argued that he must face his own action of what he had done, him letting valjeans escape when he had the chance and opportunity to captured him and bring him before the justice system. To be honest Javert should have follow the law, i believe life is precious and important but should never be taken for granted and should never be taken by any form of suicide, the situation he finds himself according to the story line shows how difficult it was to maintain his own deontilogical ways and I think in terms of a frictional story, it was a right call to end his own life because of his own believe about issues he does not want to compromise. He was surprised by priest (bishop) when he found him lying and arguing in a positive manner, he sees bishops as people who respect the laws always. The act of kindness and loving caring attitudes that the bishop displayed when he wanted to save valjeans even after when he robbed and stole from him and the church by lying to the law enforcers (polices) really change the attitude and behavior of valjean and he decided to live his life as a free and redeemed man. In the movie the bishop represent Christ and church and he portrayed the traits of Christ because he always act generously and he is a loving person and he never blame nor condemned the sinners for their sin. His (bishop) behaviour is questionable, is the bishop behaviour or attitudes ethical or not. Firstly, he lies to the law enforcers(police) in order to save the life of a fellow man (valjeans life) the decision of the bishop to save the life of the young man brought a positive change to valjean life and was free throughout his life. When valjean is offering out his generosity or making decisions he sometimes uses practical logic in his approach to ethics, he uses more of a virtue-based approach. Deontological approach to ethics deals with “what the law say or interpret? Also a utilitarian approach deals on “ how to do good deeds ? a virtue-based approach deals with " what an action say about a person or thing whether the action he made is right or wrong and the implication of his action ? " Virtue ethics tells us that people are subjected to change no man is permanent everyone change either for better or for worse depending on what they do and what they are thinking. A well known and famous philosopher and also an advocate of virtue summaries virtue ethics in three questions: Who am I? Who do I want to become? How do I get there? (Alasdair MacIntyre) Virtue ethics teaches us not to be too quick in the way we judge people. Based on the story line in the movie , valjeans didn’t judge people quick because of their actions, he also struggle between what he seems right or wrong and how to figure the best action on his decision. I believe that the entire story in the movie proves that ethics is dirty and difficult. Majorities shows generosity and compassion to other people due to their past experiences. For instance, valjean, has a kind hear-ted and compassionate attitude for fantine who was lead astray by selling her body in order to save money for her daughter welfare. And also he was troubled and dis-pressed when he heard that a prisoner was caught stealing and he believed he was him. He also love Marius for looking at things in his own perspectives in loving Cosette. Valjean is willingly to offer himself over to the law without any form of resistance. We have various aspect in every ethical crises. When we go into details about ethic we will find out that ethics deals with what is the right and wrong to do in any given situation, when we talk about ethics we are talking about how to be a good and responsible person and it is also about the mistake one can learn from to be successful. Rules and attention are the main aspect in ethics. Ideally, these two aspects of life will work Together to help each of us live a good life. In conclusion, in the first three scenes in the movie, I noticed that Jean Valjean’s need for change. The hero was a prisoner with an identification number 24601. He was arrested for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his nephew, he now owned a factory and also now the owning mayor named Monsieur Madeleine. This bring me to the fact that anyone can change their lifestyle if we are determine to change it. Secondly, to forgive someone is not an easy task or thing to do. We all have one person that did wrong to us . but we always tell our self “what she/he did was so unforgivable.” But when we look at the scene between Javert and Valjean’s it will make us to think otherwise . we should learn and cultivate the habit of forgiven our self and other people. Thirdly, Fantine’s heart aching song "I Dreamed a Dream" tells us that dreams don’t always comes true . Her lover didn’t stay and left her during the autumn period and her child was sent away and also she was forced, I wont say forced but persuaded to sell her body for men to make money to care for her daughter. What I learn also is that life doesn’t always go the way we want or planned. Dreams lead us to have motivation or keeps us living but obstacles will surely get in our way. But life will point us in the right direction. What impacted me the most in Les Misérables, is that love and compassion are the most essential gift we can give to someone. And displaying this trait should always be our goal in life. For instance, Valjean’s changed from a hardened criminal who steals into a well behaviour ed and respected person place emphases on love. In the movie when valjean started learning to love other people then he also was able to improve himself however his effort in helping others also cause him little problems, this problems also gives him sense of happiness and fulfillment that he never felt before in his entire life. His love for others is what always keeps him going in difficult situations. The movie gives us a deeper insight on God’s love toward human . the movie is about forgiveness, redemption and love. In the first scene we know jean valjean at beginning he was a thief and and a prisoner. His life turned around when he encounter the bishop. The priest shows him love, care and generosity and yet valjeans stole from him and even with that the priest forgave him. This simple act display by the priest turn the table around for valjean. He devotes his life from this point on to one of honesty, generosity. The lesson learnt from this movie has really affected me positively on what I need to do in order to have a good leadership port-rate As a leader I need to be accountable for the ethics and morals of my people and I need to be care full on what I want to delegate.
