When exploring this view in relation to the novel A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick it is apparent that morality and ethics are certainly a central concern of post-war thinking about culture and society. Within both we are given a moral tale, primarily that people should be able to choose whether to be good or bad. The question of the ethics of the treatment Alex undergoes is a central issue relating to culture and society as well as the seemingly social prophecy behind it all.

There is tension in the text between Augustinianism and Pelagianism beliefs. Burgess discusses this in the introduction of the new American version of the book. He states

‘It is as inhuman to be totally good as it is to be totally evil. The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities.’ (1)

Burgess is showing here his belief in the ‘Original Sin’ and the presence of evil. Also he is saying that if

This view is important as it is the main moral of the novel and in relation to culture and society it highlights the way in which everyone should be able to make their own choices and not be controlled by behavioural therapists.

Burgess moralises throughout the book and this shows the importance to him of morality and ethics in post-war culture and society. This is shown when he says in the introduction

Some topics in this essay:
Clockwork Orange, Alex Unlike, Augustinianism Pelagianism, Interior Chaplin, God God, Dr Brodsky, Burgess Kubrick, Technique’ Chaplin, Stanley Kubrick, Allan Sillitoe, culture society, clockwork orange, morality ethics, central concern, ethics treatment alex, novel film, book film, introduction american, beliefs burgess, american version book, treatment alex, introduction american version, authenticity violence, post-war thinking culture, thinking culture society,