The conflict between them brings with it an even deeper division, one of the most fundamental in the history of philosophy. But surely Budd proposed neither mutiny nor homicide'. Billy cannot really be seen as responsible for a serious offense. Vere's response cuts deep. He points out that both they, the English, and their enemies, the French, are killing sailors without regard for whether their participation in the war is voluntary or the result of impressment and, consequently, without regard for whether they are responsible for their status as combatants.
War looks to the frontage, the appearance.
And the Mutiny Act, War's child, takes after the father. Budd's intent or non-intent is nothing to the purpose. Moral scruple and compassion try to penetrate superficial actions to the realities that underlie them, while the perspective represented in the military rules does not. The military point of view is contented with the surface itself, with appearances. Put in this way, the issue of what is to be done with Billy is a deep and troubling one.