When we analyze the movie, Blood Work, simultaneously while taking into regard both Deontological and Utilitarian points of view, we notice a complex behavior in all characters involved, especially Terry McCaleb. The main character, Terry McCaleb, has the most complex behavior of all as he has the tendency to jump the fine border between Deontology and Utilitarianism multiple times back and forth.
Throughout the entire movie, McCaleb faces multiple Deontological dilemmas but the biggest and most important of all of them is his decision to self-sacrifice for the good of others. He makes a selfless decision which could have very well cost him his life. We need to take under consideration that this time around, his life is a gift from a victim who was murdered and this time is possibly his last chance at life. When analyzing McCaleb, we must consider his living medical condition, potential terminal risks that come with receiving a heart transplant, and his personal struggle to fight rejection of his peers.
Even though aware of all disadvantages involved in proceeding with his decision to pursue the killer, McCaleb acts out of duty towards other people disregarding all and any consequences. Kant believed that the real character of people is seen at times when their decisions are hanging in a fine line between different choices. For Kant, a person’s temperament and nature would prevail on the road taken. “It is just then that the worth of this character comes out, which is moral and incomparably the highest, namely, that he is beneficent not from inclination but from duty….”(Pg. 356 Groundwork of the Metaphysics of morals, Immanuel Kant)
All throughout the movie, there are other multiple Deontological dilemmas that McCaleb encounters. McCaleb seems to take the Categorical Imperative route almost every time.
In the beginning of the movie, we are introduced to the