Question

1. Is sacrificing one life to save the lives of many the best possible ethical outcome? Why or why not?

2. When you chose to save the five people than the one life, does it show "the means justify the end" or "the end justifies the means"? Provide an explanation.

Answer 1

1)Is sacrificing ones life to save the lives of many the best possible ethical outcome _Yes I do agree with statement.

Brain death - In the example of brain death, when patient is not capable to cope with the medication and treatment, it's always advisable to save many possible life by donating ones life(organ donation). Once brain death reported, even by help of mechanical ventilation, patient may not be alive.

Accidents - In case of mass accidents or event, triaging is plays an important role,where the healthcare workers should traige provide fastest care and management to the victims who has hope or possibility to be alive. I'm such cases sometimes, being human we need to be little sensitive in ignoring the life one to save life of many.

2)"The means justify the end" - To save the five people than the one life is an action which needs hundreds and hundred decisions, at the same time fraction of seconds in a emergency situation. Since the means(ones life) to the end is not something acceptable to every one. But a better chosen means will help for an successful end (life of five). And it is always important that the consent of the victim if possible or the caretakers(according to the situation).