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Elements Of Utilitarianism In Sophocles's 'Antigone'

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In Sophocles “Antigone”, translated by Richard Emil Braun, Haimon, the son of the Kreon, portrays elements of utilitarianism by trying to represent the best outcome for the community to his father. A sound argument towards Haimon showing utilitarianism is that Haimon only thinks about himself. Haimon states “You direct a course for me with good intentions, and I follow it” (Braun 46). This could show that Haimon is thinking for his own good intentions. However, Haimon follows his father’s commands but politely argues with Kreon about the greater good for the community instead of himself. He tells his father that he disagrees with his beliefs and tries to show what he trusts is the right thing to do in the situation. Haimon agrees that his marriage with Antigone comes second to his father’s will but considering he disagrees with his fathers will about his fiancé, he puts his marriage first, which also represents what the community …show more content…

Haimon attempts to explain to his father that killing his Antigone, or even locking her up in a cell for the rest of her life would cause more pain than pleasure for the entire community. Haimon tries to convince his father that utilitarianism would provide the best outcome for the community. Julia Driver, A Normative Ethical Theory and Moral Psychology researcher and has a Ph.D. in Philosophy, states that utilitarianism is “generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good” (Driver). With the view of utilitarianism very few people, if any, would be hurt. This belief of utilitarianism would mean that Antigone’s brother would be buried, and Antigone would be taken out of her cell alive, free of any charges. Kreon does not take the opinion of the community until it is too late, which results in a tragedy. Losing the wrongly Antigone, Haimon, and his wife, Eurydice,

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