To What Extent Can A Monster Have A Moral Code In No Country For Old Men

Can a monster have a moral code? Throughout the novel, No Country for Old Men, a moral code is laid out in a relatively confusing and unconventional manner. This moral code is upheld by hitman Anton Chigurh, equal parts man, and monster, and illustrated to the reader through his seemingly downright despicable actions and beliefs. While Chigurh’s moral code may initially seem deplorable, it is built upon internally consistent logic, and thus just as valid as any other internally consistent moral system, even if it is ultimately post hoc rationalization.
This will be the most boring section, although unfortunately necessary. Definitions. A logically valid statement is a statement where if the premises are assumed true, then there is no possible

He does not care about his life in and of itself, but he does care about the meaningful enjoyment or fulfillment it can provide him. He continually seeks to improve his position in the world, but very specifically while not giving up any enjoyment or fulfillment. An explicit illustration of this is during his conversation with Wells right before executing him, “You’ve been giving up things for years to get here. I dont think I even understand that. How does a man decide in what order to abandon his life?"(McCarthy 177-178). This is Chigurh very clearly stating that he has not given up aspects of his life that he enjoys to get to where he is. Even though it may appear that Chigurh values honesty, integrity, fairness, and justice, he does not ascribe moral weight to these concepts. He views them simply as tools that he can use to further his own goals, if the people he interacts with believe that he acts in a fair, just, or honorable manner, they are all the more vulnerable to him. This can be seen during his conversation with the storekeeper, where he forces the man to wager his life on a coin

That they could have been some other way. But what does that mean? They are not some other way. They are this way. (McCarthy 259-260)
Chigurh states that he does not have free will and that he is merely an agent of fate. He speaks of choice during his conversation with Carla, which seems to indicate that he is speaking about free will. This is not the case. Chigurh believes that everyone’s choices are predetermined, influenced by past experiences, or choices, which were also predetermined by something else. All of these beliefs and descriptive claims of reality upheld by Anton Chigurh, taken independently of each other would seem to be betrayed by his actions time and time again. When looked at holistically Anton’s actions are instead consistent and self-justifying. He never goes back on his word, never acts without his self-interest in mind, and can not undermine fate. His giving Carla Jean a “chance” to save herself with a coin toss is him indulging in a bit of fun, allowing him to deepen their philosophical conversation. He believes that this coin toss will not affect the outcome of the situation. If he was going to kill her, she is already dead. If he was not going to kill her, she was not going to die with or without the coin toss. They are still at the mercy of the dead. Anton will occasionally act in a vain or in hindsight, foolish manner, but never undermining his interests for some other purpose. Anton can