Ethics And Morals Are Two Congruous Ideas - 1846 Words

Ethics and morals are two congruous ideas. However, their fundamental difference lies in the fine detail: ethics refers to the relative social acceptability of actions or beliefs as dictated by social systems or professions. Morals exist internally as abstract tenets without exterior influence. In Regeneration, both are strongly represented. The character of Dr Rivers is the principal embodiment of the constant battle between duty and integrity. His central dilemma, to regenerate men but send them back to France where they will die, causes Rivers to repeatedly self-evaluate, particularly after the arrival of the maverick Sassoon who has, Rivers claims, a very powerful anti-war neurosis . Barker s Regeneration invites us to consider†¦show more content†¦Rivers observes that loyalty to duty results in deterioration: Graves irrational hatred of sweet scents. However, Sassoon is more proactive; Graves considers Sassoon would destroy himself, for no reason to Rivers, alludin g to the Declaration. Rivers infers from Graves testament that the headstrong Sassoon does not see its implications. Graves may desire reform like Sassoon, but is unwilling to incur its consequences; his self-preserving egotism makes him less radical for the greater good. Superficially, the conflict of interests between [doing] the job and one s morals appears palpable in Regeneration; Graves and Sassoon embody each extreme. However, Rivers critically assesses Graves views as an artificial distinction , believing no actual difference exists between them. Graves believes the war is not being fought for moral reasons - though not as strongly as Sassoon - whilst Sassoon s moral duty is to be amongst his men on the battlefield. The latter articulates this through self-deprecatory language in the criminal and psychological semantic fields, viewing Craiglockhart as a prison for lunatics and, on the steps of Craiglockhart, identifying it as a gloomy, cavernous bulk . Rivers implies that this conflict is a grey area. Rivers aforementioned dilemma interferes with his duty, setting it against his humanity. His being fussy about the methods pertains to innovative Freudian psychotherapy.