Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Professionally Good!

Can an exceptionally good doctor be an evil person?

A high degree of benevolence is intrinsically associated with some professions. People working in these roles are supposed to help people commonly held to be "un-evil” and we often subconsciously confuse the professional with the personals. Surely, some of the good in the work he does would rub off on him, wouldn't it?

The character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Silence Of The Lambs) was so shocking and effective primarily because of the inherent traits we tend to associate with doctors and cooks. Given that Hannibal the Cannibal was both a doctor, a good cook and a connoisseur to boot, the line of dialogue, "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." comes as a real blood-curdler!!!

People who are “professionally” good could include -
Doctors: Save us from disease! (Godly actions)
Cops: Save us from bad guys! (Father figures. They enforce the law which is for the greater common good, ensure justice)
Cooks: Feed us! (strong association with Mother, care etc. They feed you, would never knowingly poison you, would they!)

So we tend to assume that if they are good at what they do, since what they do is for the good, they must also be good persons who will not want to do you harm. Surely, he cannot be a bad person!

There are also many movies where the "good cop" hero, also does a lot of bad, evil things. Dirty Harry, for example.

Given the choice of a lawyer, a politician and a doctor, and all of them are ready, willing and equally equipped to help (say, take care of your dog) you, who would you rather go to for some help?

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