Moral Dilemna: Opinions?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>So here’s an interesting morality experiment that I was just given by a friend. </p>

<p>Two soldiers are in a war zone. They set up a bomb that doesn’t go off. Only one of them HAS to go fix the bomb. Not only is that incredibly dangerous (bomb could go off), but they could be killed just traveling there. One of the soldiers (‘A’) has no family and no friends. The other soldier (‘B’) has a wife and 3 kids (‘A’ has nothing to do with ‘B’'s family other than knowing that they exist), one of the children is a newborn.</p>

<p>Who should go?</p>

<p>If ‘A’ refuses to go, is he committing a morally unethical action? Is he being selfish? Is it the “right” thing for ‘A’ to recommend himself?</p>

<p>Should the circumstances surrounding them (i.e. children vs. no children) matter in choosing who goes?</p>

<p>Is the most ethical manner of choosing flipping a coin?</p>

<p>Very interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts!</p>

2

<p>They should leave the war zone. :)</p>

3

<p>A and B should go and drink beer together. B should give A some advice about how to make friends.</p>

4

<p>Not enough information. “A” may be a Major, and “B” is a Private. From the Military’s point of view, the Private is less valuable.</p>

<p>What if “A” is a scientist that will turn out to solve the energy crisis, and “B” will become a mass murderer? What if “B” beats is wife and kids?</p>

<p>Assuming all else is equal between “A” and “B”, it is not an ethical issue anyway. In war time, every solider is expected to do what needs to be done. It might be more “pleasing” for one to do it, rather than the other, but it is not an ethical issue.</p>

<p>Why not just fire a rocket at the bomb to set it off?</p>

5

<p>They call Special Operations guy who comes out and detonates the bomb for them using a robot.</p>

6

<p>Why isn’t this in the Cafe? What does it have to do with college??</p>

7

<p>Since OP has asked, I’ll try to answer, as I see it. Was an order given? It is ilegal to refuse an order. Neither “A” nor “B” chose to conditionally join service- to only accept easy assignments. Should “A” recommend himself only because B has a family? Gender or marital status should not be a consideration for 2 adults that chose the military. Decision, if not an order, should be determined by rank, experience, skill, or maybe if all those are a tie, then by random chance. I understand that remote detonation of the bomb may spoil the whole mission so fixing the bomb is militarily necessary.</p>

<p>I think the most ethical (assuming they are of same rank) is that their superior choose the one more likely to complete the mission successfully. If no superior is available, and it’s just the 2 soldiers only, then I’d say that unless one volunteers, a coin flip is acceptable.</p>

8

<p>I pick “E” --All of the above</p>