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Utilitarian Ethics in "Most" Film Analysis

The short film 'Most' presents a moral analysis through a utilitarian lens, focusing on the protagonist's difficult decisions that prioritize the greater good over individual lives. The character's choice to save one child at the expense of another illustrates the complexities of utilitarian ethics, which considers the emotional toll on the moral agent. Overall, the film emphasizes the importance of impartiality and the impact of decisions on collective happiness, highlighting the protagonist's moral responsibilities.

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Lea Moncayo
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26 views2 pages

Utilitarian Ethics in "Most" Film Analysis

The short film 'Most' presents a moral analysis through a utilitarian lens, focusing on the protagonist's difficult decisions that prioritize the greater good over individual lives. The character's choice to save one child at the expense of another illustrates the complexities of utilitarian ethics, which considers the emotional toll on the moral agent. Overall, the film emphasizes the importance of impartiality and the impact of decisions on collective happiness, highlighting the protagonist's moral responsibilities.

Uploaded by

Lea Moncayo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

JO-AN PAPASIN

BSHM-3 BLOCK-C
TTH: 2:30-pm – 4:00pm

(Title): A moral analysis of the short film Most

In the short film “Most,” the protagonist is faced with moral conundrums that necessitate
a careful utilitarian examination. According to utilitarianism, a consequentialist ethical
theory, a deed is ethically justified if it maximizes happiness for all. In “Most,” the moral
accountability of the protagonist, a railroad worker in a dystopian society, is crucial to
comprehending the moral ramifications of his decisions.

The Utilitarian principle requires that decisions be made by considering how each
course of action will influence the welfare of all those involved. The protagonist’s
heartbreaking example of utilitarian thinking comes when she chooses to save one child
at the cost of another’s life. The character follows the maximization of happiness
concept by giving up one life to rescue many. The utilitarian viewpoint, which
emphasizes the larger good attained through sacrificing one to rescue many, concurs
with the protagonist’s decision in this instance.

The movie also emphasizes the emotional cost to the moral agent. The protagonist
struggles with inner turmoil, reflecting the utilitarian idea of taking pleasure and suffering
into consideration. The utilitarian principle recognizes the complex emotional terrain of
moral decision-making and promotes actions that reduce suffering and maximize
happiness. The internal conflict of the main character highlights the intricacy of utilitarian
decision-making and shows how the theory takes the moral agent’s psychological
health into account.

Furthermore, impartiality and universalizability are emphasized by utilitarianism. The


greatest benefit for the greatest number is the universal ideal that informs the
protagonist’s decision rather than being influenced by personal prejudices or
preferences. This is consistent with the utilitarian theory, which holds that moral actors
should put the interests of all people above their own preferences or inclinations.

In summary, the moral evaluation of “Most” via a utilitarian perspective highlights the
moral obligation of the lead character to make choices that put the greater good first.
The Utilitarian principle highlights how the character’s activities affect happiness as a
whole, which gives a foundation for understanding and rationalizing the character’s
behaviors. The moral agent’s internal conflict, the objectivity of the decision-making
process, and the emphasis on reducing suffering all work together to support a
utilitarian understanding of the character’s moral obligation within the framework of the
movie.

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