Edzel B.

Briones
Che 185 Assignment
February 10, 2014

Nothing is True
Everything is Permitted
Ethics is one of the main problems faced in a workplace and that is the
subject of episode 17, season 2 of the animated series Dilbert. In this episode, a
normal office worker, Dilbert, whose integrity cant be bought by money is tasked to
create an internet voting network. The dilemma of Dilbert in this episode is either to
keep his values and ethics intact or rig the network for the possible love of his life.
Even though the humorous and inappropriate contents of the show, this episode
tackles an important matter and points out to its viewers some things to consider
about ethics.
One of the first things I noticed about the episode is that characters always
based their decisions about ethics either by the consequences or the values they
have.

It is like two expressways you need to choose to arrive on your decision.

Dilbert on the other hand tackles both of this methods.

I appreciate Dilberts strong values and integrity. In this world today where
everyone can be bought by money we should be thankful that there are still guys
like Dilbert. The world might be a better place if all people in the world upholds
what is right. This comes the problem of the philosophers tackling the problem of
ethics, the problem of discerning what is right from wrong. Over the course of
humanity what is right is determined by the society, religion, government or
institutions. This human institutions made things like codes or dogmas to have
basis on telling what is right from wrong. However, these basis changes from time
to time, place to place and person to person. There is no definite way to tell an
action is the absolute truth. I always believe that an action can be considered right
or wrong but only relatively based on the person or institution. That is why I believe
that Nothing is true. It is one of the creed followed by a fictional order of
assassins in the hit game series Assassins Creed. Well, the phrase isnt mean to be
strictly followed or the world would be in chaos but it is only a mere observation of
the world. As one of their great mentors says, To say that nothing is true, is to

realize that the foundations of society are fragile, and that we must be the
shepherds of our own civilization. In the episode, we can see the manager being
persuaded by money, the secret ruling society by more power and for Dilbert is the
One Thing, love. I also believe on what Dilbert says in one of his conversations with
Dogbert that everyone has a tipping point. That is why it is very important to
choose and uphold what you believe in. It is contrary to Socrates belief in always
questioning on what you believe to make it stronger. But for me strengthening your
beliefs and values is about reading and listening on the people who have the same
beliefs. Through the years philosophers, thinkers and prophets have laid upon this
school of thoughts and for us to do is to choose one, uphold it and apply it in real
life.
One of the things that I also believe about ethics is that Everything is
permitted. It is second phrase in the creed followed by a fictional order of
assassins in the hit game series Assassins Creed. It just means that we need to
understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with
their consequences, whether glorious or tragic. On the episode much of the time
spent by Dilbert is about thinking the consequences of his action. On this part, the
important subject, Democracy is also being tackled. For me basing your judgements
from the consequences is more ineffective than choosing it with your values. That is
because we are not entirely sure about the things that might happen. In the
episode, even there is no way of rigging the system, the secret ruling class still
found a way to make Benjamin Franklin to be the president (the Spanish part in the
end). I dont believe in what the determinists say and that is because the future is
not yet written. There are several factors affecting on what might happen but you
cannot entirely control it unlike setting up your values. For me we should face the
consequences from the choices we made and we should not be afraid of it when
making decisions especially on ethics.