Contemporary Honesty

The Aoristic Norm

Daniil Kouznetsov

English (ENG3U)

Mr. Cherny

December 8, 2010
 Within the supposed credibility, honesty, and integrity of contemporary society exists
facets of fraudulence, deceit, and hypocrisy. The former values not only exist alone but also
contain their own adhesion; specifically towards more sinister intentions, as humans have the
tendency to move towards the most instant avenue of satisfaction. Kia is faced with a dilemma
which encourages actions sheltered under the shade of good intention and, like Sir Thomas
More, Kia’s character should remain upright and not sway from such pressures. Kia mustn’t
cheat to obtain her goal of becoming a top medical missionary but with her newfound upbringing
she will conduct herself as a person of greater moral fiber who will still be fully able to save the
lives of others through becoming a medical missionary.
Primarily, Kia has already proven herself an active and enriching member of the
community and a credible student and, yet, her exhausting schedule is the determinant for her
punishment. Much like More, she is in good moral standing, and conducts herself steadfastly and
undeterred; in her case, she is a philanthropist. More also captivates this thought as he maintains,
“You see, we speak of being anchored to our principles. But if the weather turns nasty you up the
anchor and let it down where there’s less wind, and the fishing’s better. And ‘look’ we say ‘I’m
anchored!’” (p. 69) Volunteer work, athleticism, and an active part in community initiatives as
well as democratic participation show that Kia is not only well-rounded but also dedicated, much
like More. No one suspects such people of breaking their own moral code and, as the case stands,
this statement remains fact. This, however, is not an open invitation for all those who are actively
involved in their community to falsely create success. If she were to cheat she will be
permanently reminded of her personally sullied portfolio. However, she does have the
opportunity to complete her training to a lower extent and maintain a pristine record. Her
application towards the top medical school will be denied but there are thousands of separate
schools across the world which will gladly accept her with a mark relatively close to eighty-five
percent. However, if she is unsatisfied with the remainder of the educational lifestyle then she
will gladly reminisce in the growth of her moral growth.
Furthermore, Kia’s morality is at its greatest moment of weakness which will allow for
further corruption to be instilled within her. Before the examination she may remain in a stable
state, if she chooses to cheat she will ultimately fall into a permanent downwards spiral. As
William Roper wants to “cut down every law in England…” (p. 66) More explains “when the
last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you – where would you hide, Roper, the laws
all being flat?” (p. 66). As Roper wants to simultaneously destroy the laws of England he
unknowingly leaves himself nowhere to hide as well. Some say that cheating would be
appropriate because she would maintain her moral conduct as she had done so before cheating
but this would not follow proper order from a psychological perspective. The effects of a
successfully cheated examination mark would highly boost her confidence in cheating as a
whole. As it is with many things, once one becomes comfortable with something it tends to
become a habit. Even more so, no one would know that she cheated on her examination and she
grants herself the dangerous ideology that cheating is not difficult. This scenario becomes
genuinely disturbing if she were to become a medical missionary. As she had cheated on that test
and, for all intents and purposes, cheated on multiple other tests which ultimately places her
patients at a great risk due to her ignorance. Most patients generally have an immeasurable
amount of confidence in their doctor due to the amount of work required to enter medical school
and complete all training prior to working with real patients. If one were to discover that their
doctor were a fraud through much of their schooling then it is guaranteed that their patient will
have less confidence in them if they had not already changed to a different doctor after receiving
this staggering news.
Moreover, if not for the sparing of her morality, Kia may enjoy enduring bliss from the
betterment gained from completing such a challenging situation successfully. Many would
outright refuse to comply with such troubling circumstances and choose the path of the
pragmatist. Such people are almost infinite in number but representative examples of such people
are Richard Rich and Cardinal Wolsley. Rich would rather complain to More with impudence
than locate his own means of employment so much so as to receive “No.”(p. 64) as a final
answer yet continue to cry out, “I’m adrift. Help me… Employ me.” (p. 64). Cardinal Wolsley is
an even stranger example as he is of a supposed greater clerical status than More altogether yet
states heresy by today’s standards with such phrases as “England needs an heir; certain
measures, perhaps regrettable, perhaps not – there is much in the Church that needs reformation,
Thomas – All right, regrettable! But necessary, to get us an heir!” (p. 22) Such men would be
easily influenced by their own moral squint and therefore choose the most pragmatic option
available. It is men like these who model our scroungers, heretics, and statesmen. Contemporary
society attempts to accord moral squint instead of practical values such as honesty which is
clearly needed in Kia’s case. These values will not only be present as she proceeds with her
examination but also through her entire life as a consistent reminder of her will to commit good.
In conclusion, the situation presented to Kia is sensitive but ultimately boldly answered.
Should she cheat on her examination there is reason to extrapolate that she will hack through
many other examinations and tests after her newfound confidence. She is an active member in
her community and should continue on her path to becoming a prevalent philanthropist and
medical missionary both through mountains and plains. However, if nothing else, she will have
learned that through her honesty she does not live vicariously through her deception rather than
what she deserves. This honesty will forever be the basis for her relationship with her patients,
colleagues, and friends who all supposedly trialed through the same dark forests that she has also
traversed. King Henry VIII enforces this statement to More by simply conveying, “you are
honest. What’s more to the purpose, you’re known to be honest.” (p. 55). If even a man of
Henry’s notoriety and wickedness could value More’s honesty then it must truly be a value
worth possessing. Without honesty, one is only a vast plain of extravagant lies.