I was somewhat reticent to see the newest superhero movie Captain America: The First Avenger (released July 22, 2011). Why? Because Captain America was my favorite superhero as a kid and it seems that few contemporary remakes do justice to one’s childhood memories.
Nevertheless, I saw the movie on opening day and liked it. It’s faithful to Captain America’s World War II context and contains plenty of military action and adventure. It also presents Captain America as the fearless patriot I remember him as. I therefore give the movie a solid 9 out of 10 rating.
Captain America and the Five Problems of Ethics
In part one of this series, I introduced what philosophers call “The Five Problems of Ethics.” What follows is my attempt to answer these philosophical inquiries from the vantage point of the superhero Captain America. I readily admit that some of my conclusions are a bit speculative in nature. I’m attempting to read between the lines and, in effect, look through Captain America’s worldview lens.
1. What characterizes human nature?
In Captain America’s worldview it seems that human nature is clearly capable of being corrupted by great evil. After all, the backdrop of the series is World War II with the villainous Red Skull representing Adolf Hitler’s alter ego. Yet as Captain America himself illustrates, human nature is also seemingly capable of resisting evil and seeking the moral good.
2. What is the greatest good?
To my knowledge, Captain America doesn’t talk about God per se. But since he represents the apex of American beliefs and values, I will draw the inference that he would agree with the providential statement that appears on American coins: “In God We Trust.”
Generally speaking, Americans believe that a divine creator grants their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thus Captain America’s worldview, being deeply shaped by America’s vision and values, discovers its ultimate good in God almighty. However, believing in the generic creator of American natural religion (see the Declaration of Independence) is a long way from affirming the Triune God of the Bible (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
3. How is the greatest good known?
Again reading between the lines, I would assert that Captain America’s world-and-life view likely discovers the greatest good (in this case, God) through the deliverances of reason and intuition, which are grounded in the broader created order. However, Captain America never seems to mention the special form of divine revelation that Christians refer to as sacred Scripture (the Bible).
4. What motivates and restrains moral choices?
One of the things that I most appreciate about Captain America is his deep-seated sense of moral duty. As the ideal representative of American beliefs and values, this superhero is both motivated and restrained by his awareness of moral obligation. Of course, moral duties and obligations must be grounded in a truly objective ethical system. And for most Americans, the surest foundation for ethical values is found in the God of biblical theism.
5. Do human beings possess the freedom of the will?
The worldview reflected in Captain America and earlier comic books clearly reflects an affirmation of human freedom. In fact, human beings must ultimately decide whether they will join with the powers of good or align with evil forces. Freedom then carries with it great moral responsibility.
As I mentioned in part one, my attachment to Captain America is tied to my deep belief in basic American values (self-determination, personal responsibility, and justice).
I suggest that you go see the new movie and see if my assessment of Captain America’s worldview is indeed accurate.
Reflections 
I distinctly remember a Cap comic in which he made an oblique (but quite obvious) reference to Jesus Christ. The French bad-guy, Batroc, had placed a bomb in a sewer tunnel that would flatten the city. The two were battling it out top-side until Batroc realized time was ticking away and he had to get to a safe distance away. He leaves and delivers a verbal parting shot to Cap, something about how stupid he was for risking his life for a city full of low-lifes, etc. As Capt. America descended into the tunnel after the bomb, his thought-bubble contained a sentence in which he pretty clearly referred to Christ, not by name, but by calling Him, “the wisest of all,” and how He seemed to think the “low-lifes” were worth sacrificing Himself for. Just a tidbit of info for your further ruminations.
CA was my favorite hero as well. As a non-Christian kid, I was strongly attracted to the sense of impecible integrity and moral duty he routinely (though imperfectly) displayed. I could never get into the angst that was present in so many other Marvel comics, where the hero internally whimpers about, stymied by the complexxities of hero-life. I wanted a guy who was okay with doing right simply because it was right. While all the “cool” kids were jumping on the anti-hero bandwagon that was Wolverine, I stuck to the shield-slinger. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. A hero who occassionally messes up; or a malcontent who stumbles into doing right once in a while? I strive for the former, though the latter is an easier way to live. 🙂
Appreciate your thoughts, Gordan.