American Sniper Cowardice or Bravery?

I like any student loves watching movies. Over the summer I watched the film American sniper which is a movie based on a real life event. I choose to look at a cnn article which was debating whether snipers are heroes or in actuality cowards who hide behind the protection of camouflage and a gun. American Sniper is a film which has recently been released telling the story of Chris Kyle, a real life Navy Seal who has had the most kills in U.S history.

This article deals with following ways of knowing: emotion, reason, and intuition. The explain that being as assigned as an army man from a certain country requires a soldier’s dedication to that sole country. In this film it is the United States. Although there are times where an individual can reflect on who their loyalties lie with; a country or themselves. Which is where emotion plays in, in the article some feel that being a sniper is cowardly. Michael Moore a famous film director stated Snipers aren’t heroes but backstabbers. In relation to a US soldier reason is mapped out. It is taken into consideration when looking at all and any factors when dealing with another party. For a sniper reason isn’t always a choice because they receive an order rather than a choice. Whether it is ethical or not they are forced to follow through. Personally I see that intuition ties in with this because it is a job, and it is never a choice.

In this article the most apparent area of knowledge is ethics. The line between the moralities of a situation in contrast to the requirement of certain task can often be hazy. As stated before a sniper is not given a choice but rather an order so the ethical choice is not their choice. In the article Seth Rogen stated that the film reminded him of “Nazi Propaganda”. The use of this quote makes the area of knowledge apparent since due to history the Nazi party choose to ignore the ethical choice. This comparison helps understand the strong view Rogen has on the film and the whole concept of the “ethical” choice.

Knowledge framework would have to be Historical development and methodology. Historical development because the impact of an actual event helps ground the different theories personal and ways of knowledge provide. The context of the film and the actual conflicts which occurred with Chris Kyle help one understand the development of identity. Methodology because the role of ethics plays in understanding the controversial lines of emotion and order.