Right And Wrong

I've been busy teaching myself how to write a screenplay. For my birthday, my lovely wife got me a copy of the unfortunately-named Movie Magic Screenwriter (MMSC). I had tried the other screenwriting software package (Final Draft) but found MMSC to be better. So, if you write screenplays and are attempting to decide on which one of the two to buy, you have my paltry recommendation.

Anyway, learning about drama has led me to understand some facts about human nature. For example, in Robert McKee's excellent book Story, he discusses the nature of choice:

Human nature dictates that each of us will always choose the “good” or the “right” as we perceive the “good” or the “right.” It is impossible to do otherwise. Therefore, if a character is put into a situation where he must choose between a clear good versus a clear evil, or right versus wrong, the audience, understanding the character's point of view will know in advance how the character will choose.

The choice between good and evil or between right and wrong is no choice at all.

Imagine Attila, King of the Huns poised on the borders of fifth-century Europe, surveying his hordes and asking himself: "Should I invade, murder, rape, plunder, burn, and lay waste … or should I go home?" For Attila this is no choice at all. He must invade, slay, plunder, and lay waste. He didn't lead tens of thousands of warriors across two continents to turn around when he finally came within sight of the prize. In the eyes of his victims, however, his is an evil decision. But that's their point of view. For Attila, his choice is not only the right thing to do, but probably the moral thing to do. No doubt, like many of history's great tyrants, he felt he was on a holy mission.

On an intellectual level, why of course that all makes sense. Nevertheless, I have made the mistake too many times in my professional and personal life in thinking that of course(!) this or that person would “do the right thing.” Pshaw!

Not that I'm saying, of course, that this is no such thing as a fundamental or absolute “good” or “bad,” “right” or “wrong.” Nor do I think that's McKee's point either. It's all a matter of the all-important point-of-view. People redefine good and bad, right and wrong to further their own ends, however immoral or outrageous those may be.

That being the case, us idealists should continue to insist—at least in our own lives and actions—on doing the right thing. That “harder right” thing. That “right-er” thing. Once done, and maybe in parallel, perhaps we can start insisting on others doing that as well, or at least calling South Park's shenanigans when we see them.