The logic of justifying utilitarianism actions in Koestler’s “Darkness at Last”
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published 25/11/2008
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Summary
Arthur Koestler in Darkness At Noon, explores the utility of totalitarianism through the fictional life of Nicholas Rubashov, a lifelong, loyal member of The Party who has recently been hauled into jail under dubious charges. Rubashov has spent his entire life promoting the Utilitarian and Machiavellian ideals espoused by No. 1, the enigmatic leader of The Party. But now, ironically, Rubashov is being subjected to the same methods he used to use out of fervent devotion to The Party, a devotion that is not only questioned by officials of The Party, but Rubashov himself. He is now the current target of tactics he has previously used, including intense interrogation techniques, fear mongering, and manipulation. As he sits in jail, awaiting his hearing, Rubashov is forced to examine the decisions he has made in the name of promoting The Party ideals through a combination of flashbacks, journal entries, self-reflection, and interactions with his fellow prisoners. Utilitarianism and Machiavellianism are two theories that are both explicitly and implicitly explored throughout the text in Darkness At Noon. Through the various flashbacks, actions, and thoughts of Rubashov, Koestler wrestles with the myriad aspects of these two theories, which outline the proper ways in which a society should be constructed. Koestler’s novel confirms the idea that the Utilitarianism is a principle which can be learned, yet only through the complete annihilation of the first generation of this supposedly evolved society, an idea explored in John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism.
Table of Contents
- Introduction.
- Utilitarianism and machiavellianism.
- Koestler's exploration and struggle with the two ideologies in Darkness At Noon.
- The cornerstones of Machiavelli's argument.
- Qualities a prince needs to possess in order to gain and maintain control of a republic.
- The importance of a leader who is able to be deceptive.
- The Machiavellian principles of cruelty and deception.
- Two principle arguments for the utility of deductive reasoning.
- All who choose to utilize it must wholeheartedly believe in it.
- Deductive reasoning.
- Blind faith.
- The ideology of the 'Party'.
- Conclusion.
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