Question

Here is a variation on a scenario that is a favorite of many ethics professors. There is a lifeboat that can hold three people; however, there are four survivors who have managed to climb in. One is an overweight 13 year old. One is an artist who works as a waitress part time to supplement her income because she cannot make enough from her art work. She has no children or spouse. One is a 65 year old doctor, who may be on the verge of curing cancer. The final person is the captain of the boat hat sank. He has survival training and is the sole support of his two children. Using utilitarian ethics decide who gets thrown off the lifeboat. Remember when supporting your positions, you will be looking at the benefits and harms of the action as well as their degree and likelihood.

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION :- Utilitarian ethics is one of the very popular concept which is appilicable in the philosophical field.The philosophers supporting this view holds a firm belief of the ethics of utilatrian which suggest that any of the activity being performed,which eventually lead to happiness or some sort of positive aspect at the end,will anyhow be considered as appropriate and correct deed.This field of philosophy besically relies on the fact that,any thing which either brings some positivity or makes people happy while concluding its result,will eventually be counted as correct only.

So,considering this variation,and the scenario provided above,where in the life boat only three people could be saved,out of four provided with,the insight about every four of them,and at last after considering,the ethics of utilitarian,the three people who will be saved using boat are,the little boy who is 13 years old,the artist who works as a waitress as well to run her livelihood,and the captain of the boat.It is so because,these three have either major life ahead of them which they have not yet came across or with,or the family behind,whom they are sole support.As such the 13 years boy,who has not lived much of his life and there is huge things he need to see,therefore,he needs to get in the board.Further,the artist,who is struggling to get a better life,as such she neither have children or spouse,and along with that she is even struggling financially.So,in this case,she deserves chance with life,so that she could see some better things in life.And lastly,the captain of boat,even though he has surviving skills,yet in case,if any circumstances arises and he could not be able to save himself,then his two children will left alone as he is the only support to them.And,moreover,since,he is the captain of the boat,then it is require that he should be on the boat to help others.Since,there is only three placein the boat,the doctor will be left behind.Although,he is in the verge of curing the cancer,but yet it is not sure,that how long he will take to come out with it,and even if he will be successful in it or not.

So,therefore using utilatrian ethic it will be more beneficial to save the rest three leaving doctor behid,because by doing,it will lead to more positive result in the life of these three,as the boy will get to explore more of his life,and artist may be able to overcome her troubles,and children of captain will be save under his protection,and won't have to leave alone.As a result,the things whose result are more beneficial is considered right,so here,in this situation saving these three will be more appropriate,hence making the deed corsect.