Question

The captain of a boat is smuggling a family of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. A German naval boat comes alongside the captain’s boat and an officer asks if there are any Jews aboard. If the captain says “yes,” the Nazi officer will come aboard and shoot them. If the captain says “no” he will, in all likelihood, continue on his way and leave the Jewish refugees alone. (1) What should the captain do according to either utilitarianism or Kantian ethics? Explain. (2) What do you think the captain should do? Explain.

Answer 1

According to utilitarianism or Kantian ethics the captain of the ship should say No to safe guard the Jewish refugees.

As we all know Nazi regime involved Jewish killings indiscriminately much against the Human Rights and the right of every human to survive. Therefore, the killing of this Jewish family smuggled by the captain was not justified as per human rights and natural laws though it was justified for the Nazi Officer as he was only following his orders.

With a yes from the captain and the brutal assassination of the Jewish family the captain could have gone through a consequence of may be survivor's guilt or PTSD which is therefore not a wise decision as per the utilitarianism theory.

As per the Kantian ethics, killing only if it has a proper reason and it is justified to kill. It cannot operate on pleasure principle or human instincts. Therefore, according to this Kantian ethics prescribes killing only if that is only option left as per reason.