FROM EGOCENTRISM TO ALTRUISM: WHAT MAKES THE PLATFORM THE MOST SYMPTOMATIC MOVIE OF OUR DESPERATE TIMES?

Abstract

This paper is an examination of the ideas of egocentrism and altruism as illustrated in The Platform, a 2019 Spanish movie, in the light of Covid 19 pandemic. The movie, which was released on Netflix during the beginning of the pandemic, is a loud pronouncement on the vices of selfishness and cutthroat competition for resources. It reminds the viewers of a central idea in the Gandhian philosophy: sarvodaya or welfare for all. It warns that competition is detrimental for the society as a whole and instead advocates a philosophy of co-operation and solidarity especially during times of crises. Pursuing one’s own self-centred desires will not fulfil the meaning of life. The paper illustrates the conflict between the principles of selfishness and altruism as exemplified by the protagonists of the movie. It goes into an in depth analysis of ‘need’ and ‘greed’ as two vital forces of social life as shown in the movie and draws ideas from Luis Bunuel’s movie The Discreet Charm of Bourgeois to demonstrate the futile and inconclusive nature of greed. The paper tries to conclude that it is through altruism, solidarity and cooperation, not through selfishness and competition that the world can survive as a whole.