Caspian Good Evil Good and Research Paper

An example from the novel that is somewhat opposite to the previous example helps to confirm this interpretation. Glozelle, a high-ranking individual on the evil side of the war that takes place in the novel (these sides are clearly drawn in the frame provided by the author, and need not enter into the debate here), actually turns out to be somewhat helpful to the good side when he betrays and kills his master, the evil king and general Miraz. His intention is not to do away with this evil ruler and so restore good, however, but rather it is simply to take power of Miraz's former dominions himself, and to carry out the battle against his opponents. Killing Miraz is definitely considered a good act in the book -- it is one of the primary goals the good side is striving for -- but it is Glozelle's intentions rather than his actions that determine whether he is actually good or bad, and thus they determine his fate as well.

Kant, of course, would argue that killing is wrong regardless, and that situation and intention don't matter (Johnson 2008).In Prince Caspian, however, it is the more common understanding of good and evil, and the fact that the latter especially must stem from an improper intent, and is not embedded in any action, that is seen to apply. Ultimately, of course, good prevails in the novel, providing something solid on which more adventures can be built.

References

Dictionary.com (2011). Evil. Accessed 4 March 2011. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/evil

Dictionary.com (2011). Good. Accessed 4 March 2011. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/good

Johnson, R. (2008). Kant's moral philosophy. Accessed 4 March 2011. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/.....