Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind presents a world in which it is possible to selectively erase one’s memories. Patients visit Dr. Mierzwiak in order to erase painful memories—an action that utilitarians would seem to regard prima facie as right, in that erasing the memories eliminates suffering. But in erasing their memories, Dr. Mierzwiak’s patients lose things that may not be adequately weighted in utilitarian considerations—a certain connection with aspects of the real world, a certain degree of self-awareness, perhaps even a certain part of their personal identity. The Essay Prompt This question has three parts: Explain the theory of Act Utilitarianism. Why might Lacuna’s memory erasing procedure have some utilitarian value (good consequences)? (Note: An action may have some utilitarian value even if it is produces negative utility overall!) Making some specific reference to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, show that it is at least possible that some things may be valuable quite apart from their utilitarian value in producing satisfactions. (I have suggested three possibilities: A connection with the real world, a certain degree of self-awareness, and personal identity. Feel free to use one of these–just be sure to support it with reference to the film.) Is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind an example of film as philosophy? Why or why not? (Here, be sure to address Wartenberg’s idea that the film is a counterexample to utilitarianism–though you don’t need to agree with him. Single spaced)