How Is Harrison Bergeron Unethical

Black or white, right or wrong we all act in a way which makes us feel good. For example, take a look at Harrison Bergeron he did things that made him feel good and he did them because he was born with these rights but, contract rights were implemented and he broke them. However, Harrison acted in ways that are unethical in this new American society in the year 2081. The laws of Harrison Bergeron were everyone was equal, nobody was smarter than anybody else, nobody was better looking, and everyone had to be physically and mentally equal. These laws were implemented because society was competing against each other and the government wanted people to be equal and stop the madness of competition. In order to be equal people who were good looking and smart had to wear handicaps and Harrison was both of these qualities. Harrison acted towards these laws by breaking out of jail and making a television appearance and declaring himself King. Harrison did this to show people that each individual identifies themselves as one. However, what Harrison did was unethical because he brought misery upon these people.

Kantian ethic is following a specific set of commands that do not depend on the consequences of our action whether they are right or wrong but focusing on the categorical imperative.

(Mark Dimmock) Kantian ethics is not the focus of the consequence but, rather focusing on completing the duty. Here is where Kantian Ethics can be seen in Harrison Bergeron. Kantian ethics has two branches the branch of Natural rights and Contract rights. Natural rights are the ones we are born with and contract rights are the ones society agrees upon. In “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Harrison acted morally unethical because he broke the contract rights the government set up and distorted the life of the people by the way they

lived.
Unethical laws the ends to what society has agreed upon to stop all competition and focus to keeping people equal. Harrison breaking out of jail to inform society what was being done with them was not ethical. Harrison is not following the Deontological branch of Contract rights which were the laws that society agreed upon. First of all Harrison was put in jail because he was suspicious of plotting to take over the government. However, he broke out because he wanted to inform society that the laws they have are unethical. Even though society agreed upon these contract rights Harrison has no reason to be hurting these people. Kantian ethics focuses on following rules no matter what yet, Harrison is breaking the categorical imperative. Categorical imperative is a command that must be followed regardless what emotion you feel is right or wrong. (ferdinand Schoeman) Harrison is not following through the Kantian theory when he rips of his handicaps. After escaping jail Harrison makes an appearance on national television. For example, Kurt Vonnegut write, “Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousands pounds. Harrison’s scrap- iron handicaps crashed to the floor…. He flug away his rubber- red nose, revealed a man that would have awed Thor, the god of thunder” (Par 56-59). Automatically Harrison is breaking a contract right, by taking off his handicap. The government armed people with handicaps because they did not competition among people. The government did this to keep people equal. Harrison breaks the categorical imperative because he feels emotion towards the people. He wants to inform them that the laws are unethical but, it is wrong of him in doing so. This is why he brings misery among people.
Acting based on emotion not only affects you but the people around you and can bring misery to them. Harrison affected George who is his dad when he appeared on television. This affected George because he was thinking about Harrison and the government transmitted a sound to his ear handicap which made him pass out. Harrison’s unethical actions are hurting people even though if he thinks it is the right thing to do.For example, “My God” - said George “that must be Harrison!” The realization was blasted from his mind instantly by the sound of an automobile collision in his head” (Par 50-51). This affected George because he constantly go radio transmitted. Since George was smart the government armed him with handicaps to bring him down to level of other people who were normal and regular. For example, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. writes, “And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter” (Par 4). This is unethical in a way that they are measuring one’s thoughts but, the society agreed to this so that everyone can be equal. Harrison’s actions are unethical that it can cause people to disobey the Contract rights that are implemented and can lead to death.
We are all unique in a way and we do not know who we truly are until someone or somethings opens our eyes to who we can be. Harrison did this to help people understand that they can identify themselves as individuals. Harrison is putting an end to equality and an up rising to individualism. However, doing this made people like the ballerinas and orchestra break the laws that were put upon America. Not only that but he is acting in a way in which people are going to act like him. This is unethical of him for doing so. He is forcing people to break the contract rights which can be an issue if the head general finds out. For example, Kurt indicates Harrison is showing off who he truly is to the people who are at the record studio watching the ballerinas. He is following the pursuit of happiness which allows him to be happy and he does this by showing off how handsome he is. However not only does he do this to himself he allows the ballerina to show off her true beauty and allows the orchestra to show off that they know how to play. For example Kurt illustrates, “A moment passed, and then a ballerina arose, swaying like a willow. Harrison plucked the metal handicap from her ear, snapped off her physical handicaps with marvelous delicacy. Last of all he removed her mask. She was blindingly beautiful” (Par 61-63). This is showing how Harrison is helping people identifying who they truly are. He is helping the ballerina and the audience know how beautiful she is. He strips her of her handicaps and the true beauty comes through. This can be an issue because the people who are watching at home can realize that since they do not look pretty then they may have the urge to look like the ballerina.competition may come to play like it did in the old days. The same thing happened to the band. They decide that they to can be free. For example, Kurt write, “The musicians scrambled back into their chairs, and Harrison stripped them of their handicaps, too. “Play your best,” he told them, “and I’ll make you barons and dukes and earls” (Par 65). Harrison in a way shook common sense into the musicians so they can realize the true talent they have. Harrison allowed them to pursuit happiness by showing them their real talents and identities. However, this was unethical of him because he forced them to do so. Yes, the musicians may play offly well but he has caused them to break the law. Harrison gets caught up in the moment which gives the Handicapper General time to locate him and bring him down. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. writes, “It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor” (Par 78). Harrison’s unethical action of taking the ballerinas mask off which made her feel good about herself, impulsed her to dance. This then caused her death which is unethical. Causing a person their life can leave a person in bad shape because you think about what happened. Harrison’s unethical action not only caused the ballerinas life but his as well. The musicians were next to die but the General gave them an opportunity. Kurt indicates, “Diana Moon Glampers loaded the gun again. She aimed it at the musicians and told them they had ten seconds to get their handicaps back on” (Par 79). The musicians were about to die as well but the General allowed them to put their handicaps back on. All of this happened because Harrison forced them to become unethical.
Although, Harrison acted unethical in today’s society we would not see things like this happen. However, Kantian ethics does play part of our everyday lives especially when we hang around the wrong group of people. For example, at school you know you should follow the rules. However, when you hang out with the wrong group and they make up your mind into ditching then it would be unethical of you to do so. People have to learn to stay away from unethical groups because that can lead you into trouble like Harrison Bergeron.