In the satirical play The Physicians, screenwriter Friedrich Dürrenmatt explores the morality of nuclear science and the true intentions behind the creation of nuclear weapons against the backdrop of three physicists in a sanatorium run by Dr. Mathilde von Zahnd, chief psychiatrist. After the physicist responsible for discovering the solution to the "gravity problem", Johann Wilhelm Möbius, decides to remain imprisoned in the sanatorium to prevent humanity from abusing his work, Doctor von Zahnd reveals that she has copied all of Mobius' documents in a plan to use his scientific research to build an international cartel aimed at world domination (Dürrenmatt, p. 59). Dr. von Zahnd's extreme capitalist motivations for exploiting Mobius' scientific work parallel growing global skepticism toward the military-industrial complex after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dürrenmatt uses the structure of the sanatorium and the character of Doctor von Zahnd to warn against the strengthening of the military-industrial complex and argues that nuclear policy is not a practical means, but a means of strengthening the military-industrial complex to consolidate wealth. and power in the hands of the elite. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get the original essay The term "military-industrial complex" (hereinafter "MIC") was coined by President Eisenhower in his speech The farewell of 1961 to designate the network of companies and other private institutions involved in the production of weapons and military supplies. This "complex" has grown significantly in the United States since General Charles E. Wilson declared the "permanent war economy," or "continued military spending as a solution to unresolved economic problems before the end of the Second World War]", in 1944 (Post). Huron, p.1). In his speech, Eisenhower warned the United States against MIC influence over the government, particularly over military actions (Encyclopædia Britannica). This fear of “undue influence” is reflected in the Port Huron Declaration, the 1962 manifesto of the Students for a Democratic Society movement. The manifesto warned that because of the MIC in the United States, “[military] strategies are advocated on the basis of power and profit, generally more than on the basis of military need” (Port Huron, p. 3). The problematic expansion of the MIC is ultimately linked to capitalism: if the means of military production were not privatized, corporations would have less financial incentive to pursue military influence and the military would likely act instead in the best interests of its population. in the best interest of the markets. Dürrenmatt structures the sanatorium with many parallels to the network of the military-industrial complex, establishing it as a foundational structure for his argument against the complex. Von Zahnd classifies sanatorium patients into living blocks of similar origins: “industrialists with industrialists, millionaires with millionaires and physicists with physicists” (Dürrenmatt, p. 19). This element of the sanatorium structure reflects the distinct interest groups involved in the MIC, emphasizing the role of industry, finance, and science in this network. Furthermore, the expansion of the sanatorium is financed by “wealthy patients and [von Zahnd's] relatives” (p. 18). This reflects the idea that MIC's expansion is fueled by those who financially invest in the resort (von Zahnd's family, in the case of the sanatorium, or members of the network,in the case of MIC) as well as by those who are emotionally invested. (patients who depend on the sanitarium for their comfort and mental health, or the public who depend on the military for their physical safety in the face of fear). Thus, the MIC has a financial incentive to create fear, and von Zahnd has a financial incentive to treat her patients well. Both the internal structure and funding sources of the sanatorium draw striking parallels with the MIC and illuminate Dürrenmatt's commentary on the complex through the character of Doctor von Zahnd. Dürrenmatt uses von Zahnd's dialogue to portray her as distinctly capitalist throughout the play. Von Zahnd refers to his patients by their profession (“industrialists,” “millionaires,” “physicists”), demonstrating his preoccupation with occupation and wealth. His frequent statements about the wealth of his patients, the cost of maintaining the sanitarium, and his industrial forebears clearly indicate a fixation on money and industrialism. For example, she describes the sanatorium as “world famous and therefore expensive…” and says that she “cannot afford to make mistakes” (p. 17). The diction associated with money ("expensive", "affordable") indicates that Doctor von Zahnd is not interested in helping patients, but in the financial gains of the sanatorium. In the extended metaphor of the sanitarium as MIC, von Zahnd fits perfectly as the arbiter of this capitalist network, pursuing actions that are in his best financial interest, as does the MIC. In the case of nuclear power, the stakes of this capitalism are increased. Doctor von Zahnd's dialogues and behind-the-scenes actions also reveal his manipulative character, like that of the MIC. She first demonstrates her desire for control when she addresses the inspector after the second murder of a nurse, asking him "has medical science progressed or not?" Don't we have... new drugs that can turn delusional lunatics into gentle lambs? (p. 15). This line indicates that Dr. von Zahnd associates scientific progress with maintaining obedience or control over subjects. Because Dr. von Zahnd is a representative of the capitalists engaged in the MIC, this dialogue helps Dürrenmatt assert that those engaged in this power grid are using scientific progress (e.g., the development of nuclear energy) as a means of strengthen their power and control. Von Zahnd's behind-the-scenes actions also support this argument about the power dynamics within the MIC. By murdering nurse Monika, Mobius ruins his chances of being released from the sanatorium. After this final homicide ensures that the three physicists remain in prison, the treatment of the physicists begins to change, as evidenced by their change in diet. Newton remarks: “It’s strange. We usually have a light dinner. And nothing extraordinary. Since the other patients were transferred to the new building” (p. 51). He implies that other patients – industrialists and millionaires – were the reason physicists were previously given “refined” meals. Thus, food was used to make wealthy patients feel positively about the sanatorium and, therefore, continue to pay and donate. Since von Zahnd is involved in every aspect of sanatorium life, it can be assumed that she is responsible for improving the physicists' diet. This reflects a change in perspective; Now that the physicists are trapped in the sanatorium, Doctor von Zahnd also sees them as people she can exploit financially, like the other wealthy patients. Regarding the MIC metaphor,.