The year was 2080. The robot synth collective led by Donald Trump and his army of cybernetically enhanced Republicans had succeeded in their evil plot to amass a machine so destructive that their plan of rebuilding cities to create jobs would soon come to fruition.
“China will be so jealous of my economy,” Trump said while pondering the ethical fortitude of his plans. Mike Pence had calculated this plan in Hedon’s and was sure that the greatest economic and intellectual pleasure would flourish from this destruction. Trump agreed that the only way to amass ultimate financial gain would be to kill thousands of people by causing a terrible earthquake that would destroy much of California. The first part of the plan was successful, and though it was now over, the responsibility of rebuilding was left to four conflicted people.
The various executives from all four of the state-government-mandated agencies met and sat across from one another at a circular table, where the tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. The director of FEMA, the head of the First Baptist Church, the leader of the hospital response team, and, of course, the Mayor pondered their next actions.
With the countless number of bodies left after the disaster, the Baptist responsible for the humane disposal of said bodies spoke up: “The backlash of our decisions could be significant, but that does not concern me.
“What concerns me is the example these decisions will set for generations to come.” The executives looked at the Baptist as if eagerly waiting for someone to remove the weight of the world from their backs. The Baptist spoke in favor of a utilitarian response to his rebuilding task. Not only was he concerned about where to dispose of the bodies, but he also questioned whether they should be buried at all. The Baptist said, “If we are to take the time to bury these bodies and adequately take care of everyone, we risk the chance of viral infection and disease spread. I’m in favor of burning the masses so that much less risk will be involved in our future operations, and thusly, our future population’s happiness and quality of life will strengthen. The Baptist argued for prioritizing increased quality of life; all meeting members agreed.
Inspired by virtue ethics, the director of FEMA spoke next. He stated that he would make his decisions with the hope of future generations adopting his virtues and using them to make decisions. The director explained that civilization would be rebuilt through the inspiration of virtue ethics. This view was inspired partially by his reading of “Beyond good and evil” by Nietzsche. He explained that his new vision for civilization would flourish through master morality influenced by Roman virtues. The virtues of bravery, ambition, temperance, and justice would be implemented in a very weakly regulated capitalist system, in which only strong-willed, determined, and courageous individuals would triumph. The baptist scoffed at this idea, explaining that the government’s absence would increase the mistreatment of workers. FEMA responded that through capitalism and their affirmation of virtue ethics, those problems would weed themselves out. The Baptist begrudgingly accepted his plan, while the Mayor still remained silent.
Hospital response team: Jean, the leader of the hospital response team, stood silent. His decisions had been made before this meeting and were affecting him gravely. Jean was faced with a crucial dilemma of saving the lives of those close to him as opposed to saving the lives of thousands more. Jean thought hard of his choices and decided to send all but three of the hospital response teams’ ambulances to the San Francisco area in hopes that his family would be saved. Jean thought of who he could ask for guidance. Jean felt abandoned and in anguish. Who could make the correct decision? The answer filled him with nausea, as he could only fathom this person being himself. Within the authentic decision in a dilemma where no exact solution can be wrong, Jean chose the correct answer since he could never choose wrong unless his actions were to be guided by the outside. Jean hugged his family that night as a hero to some, monster to others, but correct to his objective self.
The Mayor: the Mayor watched from his middle chair as his staff, some sure of themselves, some still in a panic, awaited his response to their ethical decisions. The Mayor was silent and then spoke after a moment of thought, “Jean, you are responsible for the death of thousands as you failed at your duty to respond to the needs of the many. Your love of your family clouded your duty to your position.” the room seemed grave now, so did Jean, knowing that this moment of recognition would come. Jean stood outside the door, and only a shadow could be seen through its translucent glass.
The Mayor then turned his attention to the FEMA director, who was still very sure that his plan would do the most good. “Director,
your project caused the deaths and mistreatment of millions of workers. If egalitarianism was your enemy, you’ve joined its arms with an equal cesspool of failure. A cold culture of cruelty came from your plans, humanity was and still is worse off for it.
The director and the Baptist began to wonder why their actions were being referred to in the past tense. Outside, they heard the shot of a gun to the brain of one whose death and judgment had already come. “Is this hell?” asked the Baptist, and God stood from his Mayor’s chair and stated: “Yes.”
