An Ethical Dilemma Posed in a Stephen King Novel

Last updated on: September 29, 2019 at 7:30 am by Roger E. Olson

An Ethical Dilemma Posed in a Stephen King Novel 2019-09-29T07:30:16-05:00 Roger E. Olson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What if…the world, humanity, could only be saved from total obliteration by torturing children to death?

Spoiler alert! If you intend to read King’s latest novel The Institute you may not want to read this as it contains some details about the plot. I will not, however, give away the ending.

The Institute is not your typical King novel if there is such a thing. It’s not exactly a horror story although it is a horrifying story. It contains some sci-fi elements and some violence but it’s nothing like “It” or “The Shining” or “Pet Sematary.” I would compare it more with “Mister Mercedes” or even “The Stand” in terms of tone.

Like most of King’s novels and short stories it carries within it an ethical dilemma. What’s the right thing to do in a grievous situation where there does not seem to be a right thing to do?

Of course, there’s often the hero who intuitively knows the right thing and does it.

But here is the intriguing question embedded in The Institute: If the world, humanity, the whole of nature on earth, could only be saved by kidnapping and torturing children with the inevitable result that they die, would doing that be ethically justified?

The plot presents a scenario that is, of course, unbelievable. But it is conceivable. The world is on the verge of total nuclear holocaust that will destroy everything and everyone. Most people don’t know it. But a certain group of people around the world know it and have set up “institutes” where children with psychic abilities are brought involuntarily. In the institutes they are subjected to various tortures intended to enhance their psychic abilities. These sometimes work and some of the children (between ages six and sixteen) are able to cause the deaths of certain individuals known to have the intention of doing things that will lead inevitably to worldwide nuclear holocaust.

Implausible? Of course. But the underlying question isn’t.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Now, rule number one for readers who intend to comment: Play along with the question even if you think it could never arise. It probably won’t, but it is conceivable that it could.

The underlying question within the novel is this: If it were the case that the whole world could be saved only by torturing children with deadly consequences for them, would it be worth it? Would it be morally and ethically justified?

The people operating “the Institute” at the center of the novel argue vehemently that what they are doing is justified because it is necessary for the survival of humanity. They know there are people in the world who are planning to do things that will lead to nuclear wars. These “institutes” have been keeping nuclear wars from breaking out for many, many years—at least since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They know that if they did not do what they are doing with the children nuclear holocaust would happen. And they can prove it.

The only way to “enhance” the children’s latent psychic abilities, which include causing the deaths of certain individuals whose future decisions and actions will inevitably lead to nuclear holocaust, is to subject them to tests and enhancement techniques that cause their great suffering and eventually death. When they die they are cremated. Nobody knows about these institutes except an elite international team. Presumably (although King never reveals this) heads of state know about the institutes and support them.

The question could be put another way: Why would it be wrong to torture children if it were the only way to save the whole of humanity? The leaders and workers of the institutes conclude it is wrong but necessary. They regret what they have to do—up to the point where they get used to it and stop caring. As anyone who knows King could guess, however, someone stops believing it’s justified and intervenes to save the children.

Clearly implied by the whole story is King’s (apparent) belief that it would not be justified morally or ethically and that it is probable that without the institutes and their work the world will end in a nuclear holocaust.

There are really only two ways to go with this imaginary but conceivable scenario. First, one could argue that torturing many children to death is justified if it can be proven that it is the only way to avoid a nuclear holocaust that will end humanity and the earth’s ecology. Second, one could argue that torturing many children to death is never justified no matter what.

But the question that lingers over the second “way to go” (answer) is this: Why? What would make it absolutely, unconditionally wrong—given the proven, assured, beyond-question consequence of not doing it?

Now, just this once, I invite non-Christians to participate so long as they take the question seriously and do not just say “This could never happen.” (This rule applies to Christians as well.) Either play along or don’t play. Give a yes or no answer and explain and defend it. No other comments will be posted here. And any comments that are snarky or dismissive or disrespectful will also not be posted here. This is not a discussion board so do not respond to others; respond only to my post above with your best thought-out answer.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 24, 2019

Is Christianity Culturally Relative? A Question for Christians to Consider

Next Post

October 2, 2019 Trump and the Rhetoric of Tyranny

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Against Liberal Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter, what will the proven genuineness of faith result in?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Blessings Salvation Praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed Eternal life