Justice Through Destruction: A Philosophical Critique of Thanos via Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, and Buddhist Ethics
Keywords:
justice, Thanos, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Buddhist philosophyAbstract
The objectives of this qualitative research are: 1) to analyze Thanos’ concept of justice from a utilitarian perspective; 2) to evaluate his actions through Kantian ethics, focusing on moral duties and the inherent dignity of human beings; and 3) to critique the notion of justice through destruction from a Buddhist philosophical perspective, considering the relationship between intention, action, and the ethical consequences of violence. Utilizing philosophical and conceptual analysis as its main methodology, this study examines the issues of justice and the moral legitimacy of using violence through a case study of the character Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who proposes the mass elimination of life to maintain resource balance and ensure the survival of the universe, posing the research question of whether the mass destruction of life for the sake of overall benefit can be considered “just” when analyzed through different ethical frameworks.
The findings indicate that while Thanos’ actions can be partially justified under utilitarianism, which emphasizes overall outcomes and collective benefit, they clearly conflict with Kantian ethics, which does not permit the treatment of humans merely as means to an end. From a Buddhist perspective, the concept of justice based on mass destruction fails to lead to genuine reduction of suffering. The study therefore highlights the ethical limitations of outcome-based justifications of justice that disregard human dignity and reflects on the moral issues of legitimizing violence in the name of “the greater good.”
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