Morality and Identity

            Everywhere in the world there are moral codes by which people and groups of people live by. Honor societies moral code requires them to recognize leadership, academic excellence, and service. The United States army has the moral code to protect and serve their country. According to authors Robichauld and DeScioli superheroes have a moral code on how they handle conflict while fighting crime. Although each author’s article discusses different theories on the moral codes that define a superheroes responsibility, utilitarianism or the moral high ground, they have helped me realize that moral codes exist all over. As I stated in the first sentence people and groups of people have a moral code by which they conduct their lives, organization, or relationships with friends, families, and colleagues.

A superhero is no different and by understanding a superheroes moral code one can better understand why they perform the actions they take. One can understand why Batman does not end Joker once and for all and save himself the hassle of capturing him again, why Peter Parker eventually becomes Spider-Man though he is still in high school, and why many superheroes do not use their powers for personal gain. It is a part of their moral code as a superhero. As briefly discussed in class the origins of moral codes can come from numerous sources. Parents, personal experience, and religion are just a few, but no matter where it comes from when a person knows another’s moral code they can easily understand that person.

            One aspect of a superheroes moral code is a secret identity. The value of a superheroes identity can come from different reasoning. As Duncan and Smith state in their article ‘The Superhero Genre” a secret identity is one of the three elements needed to be classified as a superhero. So by having both they identify as someone more prominent than others. Another value could be so that they can hide from the media and live a normal life, but every normal person knows every identity of the Fantastic Four. For them it is more of their way of turning the superhero responsibilities on and off. They are superheroes but that is not their whole personas. They are also someone else too. I believe this can be extended to all superheroes.

            By having multiple identities a person can have a connection to a certain lifestyle. By superheroes having the super powered identity they remember that they can do things beyond the reach of a normal human being, but the everyday identity is their bridge to the world where they can eat pizza with friends without fearing for their lives. I can understand this way of thinking from personal experience. I have a bridge to being the hardworking student,  the unique cousin, and the attentive girlfriend. It is not hard to manage these different aspects of my life because they are all a part of what makes my entire being. They are the personalities that frame who I am. I become one or another depending on whom or what is around me. For a superhero their identities are what make them who they are. The self they call upon depending on what is going on.

            A superheroes moral code is the reasoning behind why they carry out certain actions. Since reading about different theories explaining superheroes moral codes I feel I better understand why they take those actions opposed to others. An aspect of their moral code includes the secret identity and the value it has for them. I believe they value their identities because it is two sides that make up the whole individual. By finding peace between the differing sides of themselves superheroes can defend the world and live a normal life.