preview

Lifeboat Ethical Dilemmas

Good Essays
Open Document

What determines the right of life? Who determines who should die or be saved? In the story “The Lifeboat,” written by Rosetta Lee, it is up to the passengers of a sinking ship to determine who can be saved. There are ten passengers aboard the ship but there is only one lifeboat that can hold six people. The other four passengers will surely die. The passengers include, a lifeguard, a woman who thinks she is six months pregnant, a recently married couple, a senior citizen who has fifteen grandchildren, an elementary school teacher, thirteen year old twins, a veteran nurse, and the captain of the ship. Even though the decision of who should not be allowed onto the lifeboat, and therefore die, is a difficult one, it is possible to make this decision …show more content…

Since the woman only thinks that she is pregnant, the nurse should do some sort of basic test to determine whether or not she really is pregnant. If the woman is pregnant, she should be allowed onto the life boat; if she is not pregnant, she should be left on the sinking ship. The decision to leave this woman on the ship is supported by The Fairness Approach. The decision to leave the woman, if she is not pregnant, is, “fairly based on some standard that is defensible,” (Velasquez 276). Another ethical theory that proves that leaving this woman behind is acceptable is The Deontological Theory in that, “human beings are morally required to do certain acts,” this act, being to tell the truth concerning her false pregnancy (White 279). If she is pregnant, then she should be allowed onto the lifeboat. Letting the pregnant woman on to the lifeboat is supported by the Virtue approach; by letting this woman and her unborn child live it is providing, “for the full development of our humanity,” (Velasquez et al.277). The possibility of this woman lying about her pregnancy is very high, which is why, it is crucial for the nurse to give her some type of exam. Anyone would do whatever it takes in order to save their own life on a sinking ship in order to prevent their families form misery, just as this woman is possibly doing in this case by falsely stating that she is …show more content…

They have paid no dues to society. Not saving this couple is supported by The Common Good Approach. This “option best serves ethe community as a whole,” (Velasquez et al. 278). On a more romantic note, since the couple was recently married staying on the boat allows them to die with each other. The couple has no special gifts to offer the community, and neither of them has given the slightest reason that they should be saved. The Justice Approach could also be used to support this decision. This, “option treats people equally or proportionally” to the others in the decisions (Velasquez et al. 278). As mentioned before this couple is not doing anything in society that makes them stand above the crowd. This couple has no support in order to be saved, and they should be left on the sinking ship to

Get Access