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Noble Lies in Breaking Bad and The Dark Knight Essay

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The truth is a universally morale concept that people admire and follow, in the hopes that others will return the favor. As Immanuel Kant once said, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” We as humans desire the truth, an idea which helps form bonds and friendship through a test of honesty. If everyone were to begin spinning yarns of lies instead of telling the truth, the world as we know it would be a fabrication of society's dishonesty and the notion of trust and honesty would be lost. However, telling lies aren't always a bad thing and can be very useful in certain circumstances, for a noble lie told for the greater good can serve a great service. Walter White, …show more content…

To Walter, lying becomes second nature, almost like a survival instinct. Although what Walter did throughout the series was completely immoral, he had to lie to his family in order to protect them from knowing the shocking truth. Walter Jr., who looks up to Walter, would lose all respect for his father if he found out. If Walter's DEA brother in-law ever found out, not only would all the money that Walter worked so hard to make for his family be confiscated, but he would also bring great shame to his family name. At that point, everything Walter had done would have been for nothing, thus leaving his family in a worse scenario than he feared they'd be in without the money he made dealing drugs. Only by lying could Walter preserve any peace or happiness he wished for his family. The events that occurred in the conclusion of the film The Dark Knight also show how a noble lie can be used for good. Throughout the film, Batman works with the Commissioner Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent to take down the mob that has been corrupting the streets of Gotham, as well as by suppressing the terror and anarchy spread by a chaotic criminal, the Joker. Batman does what he does to protect the citizens of Gotham City even though he is viewed as a vigilante and hated by the

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