Analysis of the Film, The Truman Film

Analysis of the Film, The Truman Film

Step 1: Introduction

This film-philosophy is a paper that majors on analyzing the movie, The Truman Film, and examine the philosophical theories that explain the difference between right and wrong (.  The Truman Film was first released in 1988. Niccol Andrew directed it. The film revolves around Truman Burbank, the start of the entire show who spends most of his time in the seaside town of Seahaven island (Niccol 9). The produces of this show discourage Truman from leaving this city by instilling fear in him. All the people living in this city are actors. Christof is another character who happens to be the producer of most films. He opts to capture Truman’s real behavior and emotion and displays to the audience relatable everyman.

Despite the producer’s control, he could not predict all the emotions and behaviors of Truman. First, Truman wanted to fall in love With Meryl, but he ends up falling for Sylvia. Sylvia becomes part of the Free Truman campaign. Later on, Truman notices strange occurrences. He observes a man whom he recognizes as his father. Truman becomes suspicious about his life when his fellow actors drag this man away from him. Christof, the producer, re-introduces Truman’s father in the show after losing his memory during the boating accident. Truman is entirely out of sight, which makes Christof order transmission. In the entire world, the audience experience change. Truman sails out of Seaseven and feels that he has conquered his fear of water. At this point, Christof resumes his work of broadcasting. He sends a storm to capsize all the bought after his plan of fetching Truman fails. All the executives fear that the act might result in Truman’s death, but all the director’s bosses demand that Christof must and this show. Christof ends this storm after realizing that t is not easy to fetch Truman. In the end, Cristof tries to convince him to stay for there is no more truth in reality, and by visiting in the fictional world, he will have nothing to fear.

Step 2: Utilitarianism ideology

This a school of thought that argues that people should do whatever they produce to make people happy, depending on the broader population. This school of thought goes with the number of the size of the population (Hairy 12). According to the utilitarians, actions should only major on making people happy and producing very minimal unhappiness, or it aims at according to people more pleasure and less pain. Utilitarianism is a significant way of viewing morality and is an obvious answer to all issues that occur ethics. This ideology affects moral judgment in the real world. Again, this ideology is not fair concerning human rights. It does not focus on making the judgment that favors the least or the smallest population. It is logical and too demanding. At times it is morally flexible, and it focuses on people’s happiness by examining the best consequences of an act or an individual judgment.

Step 3: Utilitarianism in the film, The Truman show

The utilitarianism school of thought is a critical ideology that intertwines The Truman show. This show obtains significant happiness for the broader population (Hayry, 7). Most characters end up being happy. Although characters like Sylvia are not interested in this show, the more significant part of the audience enjoys watching it. It is clear that this show makes a lot of money for the network involved and it secures employment for many people. We have numerous positions in this TV show. Some of the employees include Truman’s family, friends, and other fellow works who work for quite a long period in this show. The worst part of this show is that Christof confines Truman. However, Truman is still happy or experiences an extreme pleasure, and he is not exposed to any form of physical abuse or torture. Although there is much struggle between him and Christof, he finds everything enjoyable. Therefore, it is right to say that this Tv show is acceptable in the practical decision or setting. The producer matches all the requirements of utilitarianism.

One of the approaches that ensure the achievement of happiness, in this case, is disregarding other people’s happiness. While other people enjoy this film, Sylia shows a significant lack of interest. The shooting of this film ignores with Sylvia’s satisfaction, which means that the small population is ignored or disregarded. Sylvia represents the smaller population in this case. The other group that is slightly interested in this show are the network directors who fear that Truman might die as Christof strives to fetch him. However, the larger population that consists of Christof’s bosses demand that Truman must be part of the show.

Step 4: Personal stance

I strongly disagree with the utilitarianism theory. I do not feel that it is wise to go against people’s will or wish despite the size of the population. Although most people opt to the side or make decision-based on the number of reporters, it is not wise to disregard the options or choices of the smaller population. Christof decides to ignore the happiness of characters like Sylvia, who express their disinterest in the show and decides to create a lot of pleasure for the other actors like Truman and the producer’s bosses. It is not logical to ignore a particular group, but it is wise to strive towards making all people happy and not a certain percentage. All human rights must be considered in this case. These rights imply that everyone has a right to be satisfied or obtain pleasure, and no one should interfere with other people’s personal experiences.

Step 5: Kantian ideology

This ideology or branch of ethic it does not question the morality of acts that can bring the best consequences. It focuses on pursuing the best actions without considering the results of those actions that are attainable or not attainable. Focusing on the best activities is all that Kantian ethics deals with, unlike utilitarian ethics. This school of thought stresses much on absolute morals rather than flexibility and breaking moral rules, as evident in utilitarianism ideology (Baron 34). Kantian ethics mainly ensures that all ethical laws are observed under no circumstances for ethical standards to encourage the right actions. Absolute morals are not set through God, but they are obtained through strict rules established to ensure morals are observed from the best deeds. This ideology further explains the difference between evil actions and wrong acts.  The moral status of the activities in this context must follow the maxim. The second step is showing humanity by avoiding lying or manipulating people.

Step 6: Kantian ideology in the film, The Truman show

Kantian doctrine can be used in analyzing The Truman show. This film does not reveal the use of strict rules or maxims that match the rules stated in this ideology. The producer of this show majors on making people happy depending o the population, and it disregards the small community. Characters like Sylvia, in this case, are the minor parties who do not deserve happiness. Still, other characters who make up a large percentage of the population deserve better treatment and pleasure. The Kantian ideology is not applicable in this film for their no rules governing the actions of the characters (Baron 23). Also, the quality of activities results from the happiness of the audience, which is not right. At times evil deeds can make a large group of people happy and results in the unhappiness of the smaller group. The producer focuses on the consequences of the actions instead of focusing on the best activities or moral acts.

The act of confiding Truman is not moral. It is not ethical to interfere with one’s happiness even if the person is still happy in such a situation. Morally upright acts seek to ensure that all human beings have all the freedom and all the rights they need. Moreover, it is so inhuman to disregard other people’s choices and opportunities that interfere with their personal experiences. Christof ignores Sylvia’s choice and freedom regarding this TV show, and this is not right. Actions should always be best and revealing signs of humanity and not immoral acts. Kantian ideology is not evident in this Tv show for the focus on the consequences that might result from either excellent or immoral acts.

Step 7: Personal stance

I strongly support Kantian ethics or ideology. It is always right to be human and to consider doing the best acts. From Kant’s argument, all laws should be termed as absolute morals. Actions should match all maxims and pay much attention to how they can affect people. If reactions do not harm people, we can say that people or the parties involved are morally upright. Kantian ideology will always shape people to be morally upright. Unlike utilitarianism, People will focus on making others happy, which consists of breaking all the absolute moral rules. Therefore, through Kantian Ethics, people will mainly major on being human and avoid mistreating their fellow beings. Again, it involves maintaining all the moral rules which are critical in human existence. Kantian ideology results in a well-behaved or a morally upright society since there are rules that govern the actions of the individuals. Again, it brings contentment to individuals in a given community.

Step 8: Conclusion

In conclusion, utilitarianism a school of thought that argues that people should do whatever they produce to make people happy, depending on the broader population. The utilitarianism school of thought is a critical ideology that intertwines The Truman show. This show obtains significant happiness for the broader society. I strongly disagree with the utilitarianism theory. I do not feel that it is wise to go against people’s will or wish despite the size of the population. This ideology or branch of ethic it does not question the morality of acts that can bring the best consequences. It focuses on pursuing the best actions without considering the results of those actions that are attainable or not attainable. This film does not reveal the use of strict rules or maxims that match the rules stated in this ideology. I strongly support Kantian ethics or thinking. It is always right to be human and to consider doing the best acts. Actions should match all maxims and pay much attention to how they can affect people.

Work cited

Baron, Marcia W. Kantian ethics almost without apology. Cornell University Press, 2018.

Hayry, Matti. Liberal utilitarianism and applied ethics. Routledge, 2013.

Niccol, Andrew, et al. The Truman Show. Newmarket Press, 1998.