The Sniper

Chris Kyle is a young man who makes a living in the rodeo world. Everything changes on September 11, 2001, when he decides to enlist in the elite military SEAL corps. Once in Iraq, he earns the respect of his peers for his pinpoint accuracy as a sniper.

Thanks to his work, dozens of soldiers save his life, which is why they begin to call him “the legend.” It doesn’t take long for Kyle to become the sniper with the most enemies killed in American history. On the battlefield he is a hero, but his experiences in war will not make it easy for him to face the world that awaits him when he returns home.

“The Sniper” is a film based on the memoirs of Kyle , who reflected his experience in Iraq in the book “American Sniper. “

The decision to end the life of others to save more lives …

Is it a morally lawful measure?

The Sniper: The Movie

The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, was the subject of various controversies in the US for its defense of the role of the US military in Iraq. Political and military issues aside, “El sniper” is an extraordinary film exercise that presents us with various issues to reflect on.

The feature film focuses on a character, Chris Kyle , who is immediately elevated to the altars of military merit by his teammates. Kyle kills the enemy, the enemy of the US and the enemy of the Iraqis themselves… But the following question could be asked: Is it legal, from a moral perspective, to exalt and worship someone who kills by profession?

Kyle has to kill to protect his companions, to ensure the success of the operation and save their lives. In addition to saving the lives of his comrades, the soldier is there, supposedly, to improve the lives of the inhabitants of a country oppressed by tyranny.

Moral exposition regarding the film

Should murder be allowed as a remedy for murder? It may be that in certain cases, on extreme occasions, it is inevitable to counter evil with evil, even though the objectives of both parties are diametrically opposed.

A good example to understand this situation is given, once again, by History. At times, we have been drawn to war to stop the expansionist aspirations of conquerors and tyrants. In most cases they have been detained by force, there has been no other alternative.

Unfortunately, this struggle has left many victims along the way who have lost everything, including their own lives. However, the dilemma here is to do evil to achieve good, or to do evil to increase evil. Here is the difference.

The value of life

Another aspect that we should analyze is the following. How much is the life of others worth? This time Kyle is sent to Iraq to eliminate the enemy, but each enemy is a person. Many of them are there, in battle, out of obligation, against their will. Everyone has a family that will be devastated by the death of one, or more, of its members.

In such circumstances, life may not be worth more than the bullet that takes an existence. War is far from what we are used to living in the tranquility of home. It’s a different world where, if you don’t kill, they kill you. Is a life in Iraq worth the same as in London, for example? Moral principles would tell us that no, that all lives are worth the same.

True, but the political context and geographic setting are very important. We all know that we should say this but, really, do we believe what we say? What would we think if you or I were in a fight where you will die if you do not defend yourself? Are we hypocrites?