《Happy Old Year》-Is decluttering(斷捨離) morally acceptable?

《Happy Old Year》 was the latest movie I watched on Netflix.I was amazed by how the director approached the worldwide topic “Declutter” inspired by the Netflix original show 《Tidying up with Marie Kondo》.Since it has been released,people from all over the world follow the trend in order to ‘restart’ their lives.Meanwhile,this film doubts the existence of this behaviour.When decluttering is not just the matter of yourself,how will you handle this?The director also hinted us with a debate-is it actually morally acceptable? Regarding to Utilitarianism,decluttering isn’t moral especially when the theory stresses on the greatest happiness of ALL people.Let’s see how the calculation of utility works:

1.Happiness minus pain

Jean is probably the only one happy during decluttering so she can move on with her life.While,her friends and family are suffering from her behaviour.Jean’s friend is so hurt and heartbroken when Jean throws away the gift she gave.The people sending her gifts are in great pain because she treats others’ memories as rubbish.For Jean’s mum,she is in grief and anger when Jean sells the piano which contains the memories of Jean’s dad. Pain of significant others > Happiness of her own

2.Fruitfulness(will temporary pain bring long-term joy?)

Not sure.In the end of the film,Jean decides to go on with her original plan.She smiles with tears in the ending shot.Does it mean that she has redempted from her selfishness?Has she forgiven herself?At that moment,she may be relieved but we can’t assume that she won’t feel empty when time passes by.Either her mum or her ex-boyfriend may feel even worse or never recover from the pain Jean gives them.

3.Likelihood(is something good often to happen?)

No.Since decluttering often involves the throwaway of gifts and memories,more people will be heartbroken or even angry when they discover someone is doing the clean-up just like Jean;s friend.Even Jean returns the things back to her ex-boyfriend,he gets really pissed which their relationship as friends turns nosedive.So does the bonding between her and her mum. *Jean doesn’t make effort to understand the after-effects of decluttering.All she sees is herself which makes her more blame-worthy. *Decluttering violates the harm principle cuz it greatly affects others. *If everyone does decluttering,the bonding of past relationships will not exist.Memories will be worthless. Using kant’s theory,it is morally unacceptable too.Decluttering doesn’t include a right motive to do so.To distinguish whether it’s a right motive,two things are taken into consideration.

1.Is it self-contradicting?

Yes.Switching your role as the outsiders,will you feel a little bit sad when your best friend throws away something you made for her birthday?Will you get angry when your ex returns a box of things you left while you still haven’t recover from the pain?Yes,let’s not lie.We want to restart our lives but others may not.You want to do this but don’t want others to treat you like this.That’s self-contradicting.

2.Is there any respect within?

No.The theory suggests if there’s no proper consent of others,there’s no respect.We often treat decluttering as a personal matter.Just like what Marie Kondo said,if the item doesn’t spark joy anymore,say thank you and send it away.This TV show tells us to move on and upgrade ourselves,OURSELVES.Jean quickly packs up things that aren’t necessary for her.And during decluttering,she asks nobody about anything.Although she tries to compensate later on by returning stuffs to people,she doesn’t ask others if they actually want to receive the things.That’s why her other friend who owns the violin never forgive her.She just wants to end everything and fix things out of guilt. Decluttering is not morally acceptable in the facet of philosophy.All we can do is try to find a way to make both yourself and others feel comfortable when you declutter.Don’t be a selfish people and grow up.