Analyzing Philosophical Themes in a Fictional Work (Equilibrium, 2002) - Essay Example

In the past months, we have more and more such films hit the box office. One perfect example is the 2002 Science-fiction film Equilibrium, which received many bad reviews and ultimately flopped the box office. This film follows the story of a law enforcement officer in a future dystopia where both feelings and artistic expression are outlawed and citizens take daily injections of drugs to suppress their emotions. The plot begins with the end of a third world war that has left earth in shambles and with a largely decimated population due to the use of nuclear warfare.

This incident causes the survivors to institute stricter measures to ensure that a fourth war will not break out in the future. A totalitarian government emerges whose ideology determines human emotion to be the root cause of conflict. Thus, all emotionally stimulating material is banned and “sense offenders” are ruthlessly persecuted. All citizens of Libria are required to take regular injections of the emotion-suppressing drug called Prozium, under fear of death or imprisonment. Due to the harsh conditions instituted, an underground resistance movement emerges with the goal of destroying the oppressive system in which its citizens are practically slaves.

With the help of a rebel law enforcer, they are eventually able, after devious planning and sustained losses, to overthrow the organization and free the people. (Wikipedia, 2002) From first glance, one can immediately tell that the film is loaded with ideological themes. The philosophy applied is also quite controversial too. Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, had a similar viewpoint where he advocated a tyrannical government instead of a democracy that had more risks of failing. Modern conspiracy theorists have said that in the future, such a government may emerge.

In this situation, the ruling power takes control of all aspects of life. Religion is either outlawed or limited to one for all, Needs are distributed equally to all people, who in turn are required to abide by all rules imposed. The military’s power is enlarged and many liberties are abolished. What you get is a slave world. All throughout the film, the portrayed supreme ruler is publicized all over the city in huge screens. Propaganda is pumped into the minds of the people in order to keep them brainwashed and mesmerized as to the actual situation.

The notion presented is that the end justifies the means. As long as peace and order is maintained, the happiness and freedom of the citizens can be surrendered. Justice is not given and therefore, many resistance movements emerge. (Wimmer, 2002) In order to fully understand this, one has to look into history. Similar systems were instituted in countries like Russia, China, and a few Western nations in various times. Communism is one good example and a perfect parallel. History tells of the horrors experienced in communist Russia back when the Czars were overthrown and the communist rebels took over.

Communism is based on several principles. The first one states that the purpose of communism is to liberate the conditions of the proletariat. In other words, it terminates the unequal distribution of resources that results in poverty. So, it equally distributes resources and labor. Each person has to do the work he is fit to do, and receives his daily wages according to his needs, and not according to his workload. Moreover, he is “commanded” to maintain peace by worshipping and doing things the same way as everyone.

Another principle is that there should be no opposition. In our modern era, democracy is dominant, and as a result, many opposing parties