MERCADO, Rene Ricardo A.

Ethics
2M4 Reflection Paper: Utilitarianism
1. The movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind offers a pro-utilitarian
message since it shows that in order for a person to attain happiness, he/she
can just go to Lacuna Inc. to have his memory erased from painful
experiences. This only focuses on the outcome neglecting what ever means to
do in order to accomplish it, what was important in the movie was the
happiness and peace of mind of both Joel and Clementine from their toxic
relationship that was achieved through the process of memory wiping which
is an unethical act. Thus, showing the moral theory of utilitarianism where
good consequence is equal to good actions seeking pleasure and avoiding
pain.

2. The events of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind show both act and rule
utilitarianism as follows:
• Act Utilitarianism
o This type of utilitarianism was shown in the end of the movie
when Mary found out that she also had her memory with Dr.
Howard was erased which she believed was wrong resulting
to her give back the patients files through the means of the
recorded tape in order to correct the mistakes made by Lacuna
Inc. which produced the greatest good for the greatest
number.

• Rule Utilitarianism
o This type of utilitarianism was shown in the event of Lacuna
Inc.’s activities such as the memory wiping procedure for this
allows them to forget painful experiences however specific
rules were established such as the letters that was distributed
to the family, friends and relatives of patients that their
memory was erased and they should not be reminded of it
anymore and all tangible objects that reminded them of that
memory should be removed.

3.
CHARACTER VALUE FRAMEWORK
Clementine Potato Figurine Rule Utilitarianism
Joel His Artworks Rule Utilitarianism
Mary Lacuna Inc. Rule Utilitarianism
Dr. Howard Lacuna Inc. Act Utilitarianism
Stan Equipment Act Utilitarianism
MERCADO, Rene Ricardo A. Ethics
2M4 Reflection Paper: Utilitarianism
Patrick Love and Affection Rule Utilitarianism
No valued item from the characters resist a utilitarian analysis since all
contribute to good consequence resulting to good actions that seeks pleasure
and avoiding pain.

4. Having a peace of mind and a healthy mental state makes me truly happy with
the help of John Stuart Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism it would allow me to create
strong rules such as prioritizing the feelings of my friends and family over
mine which will impact the happiness of the group. This moral theory will
also allow me to create weak rules where it would be more flexible for me to
achieve happiness some circumstances if it is better achieved in doing so such
as when those people in my circle are the ones preventing me to attain
happiness it would be better to prioritize myself more over them.

5. I beg to disagree with Mary’s belief that memory-wiping procedure is a boon

to humankind because it is not humane to do such act and I believe that the
end will never justify the means. Personally, I would never go through such
procedure since everything we experience no matter how good or bad it is
makes us who we are today. Those painful experiences make us stronger
hence we learn from those events and there is no guarantee that if a memory
wiping procedure you will not experience those or similar painful events again
just as seen in the movie when Joel and Clementine had the procedure they
somehow met again experiencing everything with a much more pain.