Ethics in Source Code

As soon as the movie began the concept behind Duty-Based ethics was immediately at play. As Captain Colter began to recall his position through memory techniques employed by Goodwin, half of him would seem to accept the orders-- it was apparent that as a soldier he had been instilled with a morality code based on the external authority of the military. Each time he entered into the mission under such influence he knew what had to be done regardless of who he had to assault or threaten. 

As the movie went on though his ethical view began to change, as did the other characters in the film. As Captain Colter fell began to have feeling for Christina his ethical position became more Ego based; he felt that at least Christiana should be saved in not anyone else, yet that was purely his feeling of moral duty to himself and her as his responsibility in some sense. 

It seemed that the government agents in charge had a much more Consequentialist disposition, especially Rutledge, as he constantly disregarded the well being of the Captain. Though Captain Colter was theoretically dead, a part of his brain was still being used, and by the end, very much against his own will. The government felt, on the basis of Consequentialist ehtics, that is was far better in the end for the Captain to continue his mission until finished as the outcome resulted in saving the lives of millions of others. 

The remaining aspects of his life were  continually exploited until finally Goodwin decided to morph her ethical stance. In reference to some kind of Virtue Ethics Goodwin disregarded her orders to keep the Captain alive as she personally felt it was more just and humane to terminate his life. That is what he truly wanted and she felt it best in her opinion that he should have his request filled though the government saw otherwise; her decision of termination was rebellious yet in the name of some ultimate and universal justice that she thought the situation deserved. Because of this I, and the rest of my group, feel that she made the better decision in the end rather than following strict orders.