Clementine and Joel are factually the same physical person after the procedure, but their lives and developments they underwent are not. Both Joel and Clementine had significant improvements in their lives reached while together, and losing memories of eachother does nothing but tear down what good they managed to do. This makes Joel's decision especially stupid, as he arguably gained more from the relationship, but he is throwing it away out of spite for Clementine erasing her memories. This movie does seem to agree with Locke's thesis, as with a changed Consciousness, both Joel and Clementine are changed people; losing their built up experiences puts them both behind in life.