Ethics Boat Scenario
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Ethics Boat Scenario

Boat scenario questions how we view life.

706
Ethics Boat Scenario
www.jewsnews.co.il

This semester I enrolled in my first ethics class, and to be honest it has been a lot different than I expected. Until I took this class I never really thought that much into the inner workings of an argument. To me it seemed pretty simple: Be convincing, and people will listen. Until I took this class I also never thought about what I would do if a boat was sinking and I could choose to throw people over and save the rest (myself included) or let us all go under. In my class I had the unpopular opinion, but I wanted to share this scenario with the rest of the world…

Say you're on a ship that is sinking. There is a terrible storm with high winds, and people must start evacuating the ship. There are two lifeboats, and the captain and his best crew hop on one of the boats. The one they chose is in perfect condition. This leaves you and 29 other people with a lifeboat that has holes and is old and falling apart. You all pile into the boat, but with 30 people the boat isn’t going to make it. You can choose to throw 15 overboard and you will make it to shore safely, or you can choose to do nothing and all 30 people will die. What would you do?

The majority of the class agreed that killing 15 people was better than killing 30 and that they would throw the people over in order to save the rest. I disagreed with them because I didn’t want to have a hand in deciding who should live and who should die. I guess I don’t see how we can justify whose life is more important than someone else's. I would hope for volunteers or for someone else to throw people over so I didn’t have to.

While I understand this scenario will most likely never occur, thinking about this made me think about how we value human lives. For me, it would be hard to value my own life over anyone else’s. What makes someone “more special” than another?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71389
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133460
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments