Morality vs Greater Good, Where Does Colonel Graff Stand?
Did you know that, according to a study fronted by Professor Albert Costa, someone's morality is reflected through their language? When someone speaks their native tongue rather than speaking a second or third language they are more likely to respond emotionally, when speaking their non-native language the study shows that people are more likely to become more utilitarian because the words don’t have as much emotional charge. Throughout the novel, Ender's Game, whether Colonel Graff is a “good” or “bad” guy is an opinion that is constantly swayed by his own actions. (Mention his diction, careful planning) The first appearance of Graff is when he shows up at Enders house to convince him to enter battle school. He …show more content…
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The intentions of Colonel Graff were in the right place, it’s not as though he purposefully put anyone in harm's way. Perhaps he may have allowed the violence to fester far past when it should have been cut short, but he had other things to focus on, and it’s not as though he encouraged the behavior. His intention was to save the lives of those on the Earth, it was all done for the benefit of humanity. His idea was that sometimes, the many outweigh the few good.
Be that as it may, regardless of his intent the Colonel allowed the death of two children, albeit one of them was a soldier, (find better wording)but a child is a child no matter the training. Allowing children to be killed, in a place where they ought to be safe, and by another child nonetheless. Graff had no way of knowing that Wiggin would be able to do as was intended. Graff heedlessly endangered the lives of many to follow a, for lack of better word, a gut feeling. While he may have never explicitly encouraged the behavior, his actions spoke more than enough to make up for his lack of words. Add a quote and some