A Plane Makes An Emergency Crash Landing On A Deserted Tropi

A Plane Makes An Emergency Crash Landing On A Deserted Tropical Island

A plane makes an emergency crash landing on a deserted tropical island. Two dozen survivors must fend for themselves until help arrives. All of them are from large cities, and none of them has camping experience. The survivors find it impossible to gather enough food, and everyone begins losing weight. One person spends a lot of time by himself and figures out how to catch fish.

He brings fish back to camp. Others ask him to teach them how to catch fish. He refuses, but offers to share the fish he has caught with the other passengers as long as they take care of the other camp chores, such as hauling fresh water, gathering firewood, and cooking.

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In this scenario, the fisherman’s position raises important ethical questions about the morality of sharing resources conditionally and the responsibilities individuals have in survival situations. From an ethical perspective, one can argue that his refusal to teach others how to fish is morally wrong because it neglects the communal nature of survival and the moral obligation to assist others in dire circumstances. The fisherman's decision to withhold knowledge that could sustain others may be viewed as selfish and unjust, especially given the urgent need for survival in a life-threatening situation. Utilitarian ethics, which emphasize maximizing overall well-being, would suggest that sharing knowledge to increase everyone's chances of survival is morally appropriate, as it benefits the entire group. By refusing to teach, the fisherman arguably diminishes the overall happiness and likelihood of survival for all survivors, which is contrary to utilitarian principles.

Conversely, the fisherman’s position can be seen as morally acceptable when viewed through the lens of deontological ethics, which prioritize individual rights and duties. From this perspective, the fisherman has a moral right to control his own knowledge and resources. His decision to share his catch, but not his fishing skills, respects his autonomy and the moral boundary of personal property and effort. According to Kantian ethics, individuals are not morally obligated to share their skills or knowledge unless they have explicitly committed to such a duty; his refusal could thus be justified as respecting personal boundaries. Furthermore, his agreement to share the fish in exchange for other chores demonstrates a reciprocal moral contract, respecting fairness and mutual cooperation in the community. Therefore, his actions could be considered morally permissible within a framework that emphasizes individual rights and voluntariness.

In addition, some ethical theories, such as virtue ethics, would focus on the character and intentions behind the fisherman’s actions. Virtue ethics might argue that a morally virtuous person should act compassionately and altruistically in times of crisis. The fisherman’s decision to withhold his fishing knowledge might be viewed as lacking compassion, especially as the group is in a life-threatening situation. A virtuous individual, guided by traits such as kindness and generosity, would likely choose to share his skills to promote the survival and well-being of the group. Therefore, from this perspective, the fisherman’s position could be considered morally wrong because it reflects a deficiency in virtuous character.

In conclusion, whether the fisherman’s position is morally wrong or acceptable depends largely on the ethical framework one adopts. From a utilitarian point of view, sharing knowledge maximizes overall well-being, suggesting that his refusal is morally wrong. From a deontological perspective, respecting individual rights and autonomy could justify his decision, rendering it morally acceptable. Virtue ethics emphasizes character traits like compassion, which might support the moral obligation to teach others. Overall, the morality of the fisherman’s stance is complex and context-dependent, reflecting the nuanced nature of moral judgment in survival scenarios.

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