Introduction
Being a catalyst for change in the face of injustice is more than a lofty ideal; it is a call to action that subverts established structures. This essay explores the complex world of change agents from an ethical standpoint using the personalities and decisions of the characters in the movies “Erin Brockovich” and “Don’t Look Up.” These cinematic stories act as fascinating canvases, illuminating the motives and difficulties faced by those who dare to be change agents. Ultimately, the analysis demonstrates that pursuing justice and equity involves individual effort, group effort, and unshakable dedication.
Erin Brockovich: An Environmental Advocate
The movie “Erin Brockovich” is based on the accurate tale of Erin Brockovich, a legal assistant who was instrumental in exposing environmental contamination and corporate wrongdoing in Hinkley, California. Conflict and a dedication to justice characterize Erin’s journey as a change agent (Soderbergh, 2000). Representatives of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), responsible for hexavalent chromium contamination of the town’s water supply, confront the character. Her moral fury at the injustice meted out to the citizens of Hinkley serves as her principal source of inspiration (Soderbergh, 2000). She disagrees with PG&E because she wants them to answer for the damage they have done. This conflict has significant socioeconomic ramifications. Due to the contaminated water, many of the inhabitants of Hinkley are working class and experience health problems. Erin’s pursuit of justice is motivated by a strong concern for the welfare of the underprivileged, emphasizing the moral implications of her acts.
Organizational Culture
The movie paints PG&E as a strong, unscrupulous company that cares more about profits than community welfare. Its organizational culture places a higher priority on business and secrecy than on morality. This environment fosters immoral behavior by permitting corporate interests to take precedence over the citizens’ health and safety (Figueroa, 2022). Conversely, Erin’s company exhibits an opposed organizational culture. They are committed to making strong organizations accountable for their deeds and are driven by a sense of justice (Soderbergh, 2000). This culture fosters an atmosphere where moral conduct is valued and promoted.
Success in Advocacy
The secret to Erin’s success with the Hinkley locals is her constant commitment to their cause. She pays attention to their worries and gives people the tools they need to confront corporate misconduct. Her achievement is also attributable to her tenacious pursuit of information, which led to a huge legal victory for the impacted neighborhood. The influence of social and environmental activists who raise the voices of vulnerable people may be observed in Erin’s success in the current political climate.
Ethical Lapses
The leading cause of the Hinkley chromium pollution controversy is PG&E’s unethical behavior. The company’s activities reveal a lack of moral concern for the community’s welfare and a preference for profit over people. However, it may be argued that Erin occasionally exhibits unethical behavior, such as lying to acquire evidence. Despite her good intentions, her methods to pursue justice present moral dilemmas.
“Don’t Look Up”: Environmental Crisis and Political Satire
The satirical film “Don’t Look Up” examines an impending environmental crisis and its sociopolitical reaction. Politicians who are more focused on their approval ratings disregard the management in the movie, which is represented by scientists and professionals raising the warning about an impending comet. The way politics is portrayed in the movie draws attention to the moral dilemmas that arise when elected officials put their interests ahead of the common good (McKay, 2021). It emphasizes the requirement for responsible and moral leadership in handling pressing challenges.
Metaphors and Ethical Elements
The song “Don’t Look Up” is a metaphor for people’s lack of concern for urgent environmental challenges, especially climate change. The comet represents an imminent global disaster that the powerful dismiss (McKay, 2021). The metaphor’s ethical components concern the public’s and leaders’ obligations to recognize and respond to environmental disasters. The movie emphasizes what happens when people disregard science and evidence for quick political benefits.
Ethical Theories and Characters
Characters in the movie take on a variety of ethical stances. President Janie Orlean is a parody of a populist politician who places the highest value on her reputation. By attempting to spread awareness about the approaching catastrophe, characters like Kate Dibiasky and Dr. Randall Mindy, on the other hand, exemplify earnestness and moral responsibility (McKay, 2021). These characters can be analyzed using ethical theories such as utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and deontology (Méjean, 2020). President Orlean’s actions exhibit a utilitarian philosophy in prioritizing individual benefit over the common good.
In contrast, Kate and Dr. Mindy promote virtue ethics by acting honorably and with a sense of responsibility to humanity (Méjean, 2020). Overall, “Don’t Look Up” is a dark comedy that draws attention to the absurdity of humanity’s response to critical issues. The film’s ending, which sees the comet impact Earth, can be seen as a tragic outcome of society’s failure to address the crisis promptly.
Self-Reflection: Change Agent and Ethical Values
To be an agent of change for justice, one must have a deep understanding of moral convictions and be dedicated to them. Additionally, it entails actively opposing the institutions, rules, and systems that uphold injustice and inequality (Young, 2020). Change agents work to address societal problems to bring about beneficial, long-lasting change. These movies’ settings and the characters’ deeds are thought-provoking illustrations of the change agent I hope to be.
Being a change agent means standing up for social and environmental justice and working to improve the world. I should take a proactive role in addressing problems like climate change and environmental degradation. My moral principles support this view of myself. I identify with Kate Dibiasky’s persona because she is steadfast in her resolve to bring attention to urgent concerns. Her behavior concerns individuals impacted by environmental and social inequalities (Young, 2020). These values support my personal moral views, which put community welfare above business gain.
Conclusion
Finally, “Erin Brockovich” and “Don’t Look Up” provide insightful perspectives on the functions of change agents in resolving social, environmental, and economic inequalities. These movies explore moral conundrums, corporate cultures, and the drives of those who want to change the world. These analyses allow us to take stock of our moral principles and resolve to effect change in a world beset by urgent problems. The ethical theories presented in the movies serve as a framework for comprehending the choices and deeds of the characters, which in turn inspires people to work for change. We are invited to reflect on our roles as change agents while we watch these movies and how our moral principles support this view of ourselves.
References
Figueroa, R. M. (2022). Environmental justice. In The Routledge Companion to Environmental Ethics (pp. 767-782). Routledge.
Méjean, A., Pottier, A., Fleurbaey, M., & Zuber, S. (2020). Catastrophic climate change, population ethics and intergenerational equity. Climatic Change, 163(2), 873-890. Web.
McKay, A. (Director). (2021). Don’t look up. [Video file]. Netflix. Web.
Soderbergh, S. (Director). (2000). Erin Brockovich. [Video file]. Amazon Prime Video. Web.
Young, I. M. (2020). Justice and the Politics of Difference. In The new social theory reader (pp. 261-269). Routledge.
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