Coup d’ethics 

In this essay, I will discuss the ethical implications of Thomas Sankara and Marie Mitchell’s characters in American Spy, a novel written by Lauren Wilkinson.

I will use the text to illustrate the ethics used that best describe the reasoning behind highlighted decisions made by the characters previously stated. 

The former  Marxist president and American spy in the novel seem to be following deontological ethics because of their work obligations— Marie is working with the U.S government as a spy and Thomas Sankara is the federal leader of his country. The text has also led me to believe that Marie also follows utilitarianism because although her sense of duty requires her to take down the man that she shares love sentiments for. 

 As stated in the handout,utilitarianism is described “by rejecting moral codes or systems that consist of commands or taboos that are based on customs, traditions, or orders given by leaders or supernatural beings to follow the action that produces the most good of others as well as one’s own good.” Examples of Marie neglecting duties or adhering to them for personal gain is her accepting the assignment to find out more information about her sister’s death. She also doesn’t want to kill Thomas Sankara because of her own formed belief in him.