The article seems to be saying that it has to actually be better, rather than just in the extremist's opinion. It mentions Death Note as an example, but in that example many, including the author, consider it worse. I'd suggest either calling that as a partial example, as the story isn't supposed to say which is better, or changing the trope to mean that the extremist is successful at what he believes is improving the world. I vote for the former.
Consequentialism: The belief that doing the right thing makes the world a better place. Check out the Felicifa forum for more about Utilitarianism and other Consequentialist ethical theories. Hide / Show Replies
In real life stop aging forever and reverse the aging process (turn back the clock in the human body in humans forever. Fountain of youth in real life. Teenager forever.
Edited by Mysterboy1424
Previous Trope Repair Shop thread: Needs Help
, started by Aquillion on Apr 25th 2015 at 2:52:12 AM
Though the anime doesn't present it this way, Kyuubei from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica could be listed as an example. He was trying to prevent heat death, after all, which would mean that everyone, that's the entire universe, would die of cold. The despair suffered by the girls in the anime might very well be worth it.
Edited by 70.33.253.44
I'm noticing a recurring theme, the times when extremism 'works' it tends to reverse itself as soon as the dictator (or equivalent) dies. Reminds me of something Teddy Roosevelt said about it being pointless to get your political party into office if things will just swing the opposite way in 4 years.
Lord high Xecutioner
In Deep Space Nine, a secret organization in Starfleet poisons the entirety of the Great Link, a species of shapeshifters who the races of the Dominions see as gods (Or at least rulers). Their reason for this is that The Dominion is the greatest threat The Federation has ever faced, and so genocide would be an acceptable solution to the problem. In a show where every cast member has engaged in highly morally questionable acts in order to do good, every one of them sees this as going too far. And yet, it is only the promise of the cure for the disease that convinces the Founder in charge of the armed forces to surrender peacefully when she is captured. Under any other circumstances, she would have ordered her soldiers to fight to the bitter end, which would have resulted in countless more casualties, in what was already the largest battle in the history of The Federation.
OUCH! That is The Aesop.
Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!
Not gonna lie...I really feel like this trope belongs in YMMV, because I don't think everyone is gonna agree that the extremist's actions actually made things better. Thoughts, anyone?