If Kant and Mill Were in Casablanca

Abstract

The concepts of Good and Evil can take on many forms, and the theories of what makes good or evil can be expressed in a variety of ways. Casablanca has both evil and good characters making moral decisions that affect not only themselves, but potentially the world. In this joint, this “gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world….” (Wallis & Curtiz, 1942) we see a story of good triumphing over evil following the old adage of love conquers all.

If Kant and Mill were in Casablanca

Taking a look at Casablanca through the eyes of deontology and consequentialism, this paper will look at both Kant’s and Mill’s theories of good and evil, and evaluate each theory with select characters from Casablanca. In this dialogue of good and evil we are introduced to Rick, who sticks his neck out for nobody, (Wallis & Curtiz, 1942) and is the proprietor of Cafe Americian, where most of the movie takes place. Ilsa and her husband Laszlo test Rick’s morals of right and wrong on a variety of levels.

If Immanuel Kant was in Casablanca would he discover good in Laszlo who is a notorious Czech Resistance organizer who has escaped a Nazi concentration camp, (Wallis & Curtiz, 1942) and believes it is his duty to facilitate refugees escapes the Nazis? Would John Stuart Mill see the good in Rick whose choices have the consequence of Laszlo and Ilsa freedom? This freedom is needed for Laszlo to do his duty, his morally correct action by his principles. Finally, Casablanca’s good and evil would not be complete without acknowledging Captain Louis Renault, a corrupt police official in Casablanca.

Good and Evil in Casablanca

“With the coming of the Second World War, many eyes in imprisoned Europe turned hopefully, or desperately, toward the freedom of the Americas. Lisbon became the great embarkation point. But, not everybody could get to Lisbon directly, and so a tortuous, roundabout refugee trail sprang up - Paris to Marseilles... across the Mediterranean to Oran... then by train, or auto, or foot across the rim of Africa, to Casablanca in French Morocco.

Here, the fortunate ones through money, or influence, or luck, might obtain exit visas and scurry to Lisbon; and from Lisbon, to the New World. But the others wait in Casablanca... and wait... and wait... and wait.” (Wallis & Curtiz, 1942) In this mass departure of souls fleeing the Nazis, Ilsa and Laszlo must escape to America were Laszlo can continue his anti-Nazi opposition. In order to make it to America they must persuade Rick that his moral obligation is to aid them, for the consequence of not helping them would badly cripple the Nazi resistance movement.

Deontological

Moral responsibility, or duty, falls under the deontology theory of Immanuel Kant. According to Sommers and Sommers