Realizar busca

Bad Education, and the Ethics of our Decisions

The ethical examples and implications illustrated in the film “Bad Education” represents the lengths people can go to when having immense power in their hands

The ethical examples and implications illustrated in the film “Bad Education” represents the lengths people can go to when having immense power in their hands

 

Carolina Maluli de Carvalho Dias

 

The movie “Bad Education” depicts a real life example of the biggest theft in the history of public education in the United States. The protagonist, Frank Tassone, was a beloved superintendent of the Roslyn School District for 12 years, who, without anyone’s knowledge, would illegally take money from the school for his own benefit. The movie’s plot works to reveal the hidden schemes used by the 2 of the school’s most important individuals, who in sum took $11.2 million from the school. Ethics, and lack thereof, is a recurring motif in the movie, embedded in characters’ actions, along with the consequences they ultimately suffer.

Throughout the movie, it is clear to see Tassone’s multiple schemes and use of charisma in order to manipulate the people around him. Having the most powerful job at the school, he can easily act without triggering others to question his actions. He has the bigger say, influencing his actions as it gives him more power over others. As mentioned in class, Tassone would be an example of a free rider. Though he appears to be a righteous and morally good man, he commits various crimes to the school, which go unbeknownst to the public. He is in a win-win situation, where he is praised by the public for being a good figure, but also is in a position where he benefits from doing something morally incorrect, in this case stealing money. He doesn’t face any consequences for committing a crime, and in addition keeps up a good image for those around him. When his coworker, Pam Gluckin, gets caught for her crimes, Tassone uses his social skills to make sure none of his actions or crimes are brought to light, and that no negative light will be shed on the school, as his goal was to keep the school’s reputation good in its competition amongst other schools. As Tassone pretends he was completely unaware of the actions of his coworker, he both throws his colleague under the bus and resembles a wolf in sheep’s clothing, someone who isn’t innocent, but pretends to be.

Moreover, the concept brought from “The Ring of Gyges” is extremely prevalent in the film. Whereas in the allegory, a shepherd found the ring, and used its invisibility powers for his own selfish benefit, Tassone used his own position of power as the ring. As mentioned previously, Tassone’s job is of highest ranking in the school, giving him utmost power. This power allows him to act in devious ways if desired, as though no one can see him. Tassone is aware of the consequences, especially after his colleague Pam is punished for her crimes. Regardless, he still abuses his power, having it be proven later in the film he spent the school’s money to buy 1st class plane seats for him and a former student whom he was having an affair with. The ring of Gyges alters an individual’s perception of right and wrong, as it gives them the option to act without consequence. Tassone would never have taken the money so consistently if he knew he would be punished for it. At the one moment where a coworker of his, Phil Metzger, calmly questions his purchases with the school’s money and mentions the plane tickets, Tassone threatens him, acting completely unlike his normal self. The concept of the ring of Gyges gives someone the opportunity to act without consequence, so when Tassone is questioned, he isn’t ready, and resorts to acting extremely differently.

Finally, the slippery slope is a concept which can be connected to Tassone’s actions and serves as a cause for the massive theft from the school. Tassone admits to his coworker that everything began with a mistake, using the wrong credit card to pay for a cheap dinner. Initially, he had intentions to pay off the $20 he spent on that dinner. When he realizes no one noticed the money spent, the slippery slope begins. Spending more and more each day with no one noticing, Tassone has assurance that he could get away with his actions constantly, so he kept on doing them until the day he got caught. The fraud of $11.2 million began with a $20 meal, which in time, became a growing snowball of costs. The ethical examples and implications illustrated in the film “Bad Education” represents the lengths people can go to when having immense power in their hands. When given the opportunity, many will commit unethical actions, if given reassurance that there will be no consequence or punishment. Ultimately, Tassone is caught by one of his students, Rachel, who posts an article exposing him in the school newspaper, one of the few moments where a character in the movie uses their power for morally good actions, and finally reveals the truth.


Bibliography

• BORZYKOWSKI, Bryan. Ethics: The slippery slope of getting away with small stuff. BBC,

  1. Disponível em: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20140806-the-slippery-slope. Acesso em: 11 set. 2023.

• MOVIE: “Bad Education”(2019)

•PRESS, Thoemmes. “The Ring of Gyges”: by Plato. Plato Philosophy, 2019. Disponível em:

https://www.plato-philosophy.org/content/dam/insper-portal/legacy-media/2016/05/gyges-a.pdf. Acesso em: 11 set.2023.3


Este texto foi escolhido pelos professores Fernando Schüler e Leandro Consentino para o Prêmio Pensamento Crítico do 2º semestre de 2023

Este website usa Cookies

Saiba como o Insper trata os seus dados pessoais em nosso Aviso de Privacidade, disponível no Portal da Privacidade.

Aviso de Privacidade

Definições Cookies

Uso de Cookies

Saiba como o Insper trata os seus dados pessoais em nosso Aviso de Privacidade, disponível no Portal da Privacidade.

Aviso de Privacidade