1. What is the right thing to do? You are walking in the jungle when you stumble
ID: 61214 • Letter: 1
Question
1. What is the right thing to do?
You are walking in the jungle when you stumble unexpectedly upon an execution in progress. You observe 10 persons standing against a wall, and a village chief is instructing soldiers to kill those people. Interrupted by your unexpected appearance, the chief offers you a chance to intervene. You are given only two choices, and not allowed to inquire further about the proceedings: (1) pick up the weapon and kill any 1 of them, and the chief will allow the other 9 to go free, or (2) refuse to participate and walk away, and all 10 will be killed immediately. What's the right thing to do?
2.
a) What is the deontological theory/strategy? What does the deontologist recommend in this case, and why?
b) What is the utilitarian theory/startegy? What does the utilitarian recommend in this case, and why?
c) What is a "command theory" theory/strategy? What does the "command theorist" recommand, and why?
d) What strategy do you recommend, and why? ( You may favor any of the three strategies above, modify any one you select, or offer a different solution of your own.)
3. Summary: bring together 1 and 2 connecting WHAT your thesis is, and WHY you defended that view.
Explanation / Answer
1. Pick up the weapon and kill any 1 of them, and the chief will allow the other 9 to go free.
In this case, it is correct to kill one person standing at the wall, though he is not familair before, neither harmful. This is because all the other nine can be saved. Based on this ethical rule, one person can be killed to save the other nine.
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