Lifeboat situations

From: David Spellman
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2020 9:53 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Martians and the life boat

Walter,

Assuming I understand your position about killing Joe to save humanity correctly, I agree it is a crime to kill Joe.  I would not do it personally even though I and everyone dear to me dies.  Most people would not be so ethically challenged 😊.  On the other hand, if I was Joe, I would volunteer to die to save humanity.

Another scenario I despise that gets taught in schools is the life boat conundrum.  I am sure you are familiar with it, but to set the stage I explain.

Several people are on a sinking life boat and someone must get out to keep it afloat.  The identity (and social worth) of the people varies depending on the agenda of whoever is using it.  The twist is always to get people (typically young people) to accept the idea that killing for some purpose is acceptable.

I have always maintained that the only person you can volunteer to leave the boat is yourself.  If you are altruistic, you can save the rest.  Otherwise, you have no business deciding whose life is valuable and who does not deserve to live based on whatever metric the teacher is proposing.

What I find disturbing is how large a number of people buy into the decision making process and can conclude who should die.

If I am ever in New Orleans, I am tempted to ask to have lunch with you.  Or maybe just sit in a class and say hello.

Best regards,

David

From: Walter Block <[email protected]>

Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2020 5:46 PM

To: ‘David Spellman’

Subject: RE: Martians and the life boat

Dear David:

Sounds good. According to Murray Rothbard, the owner of the life boat should decide who stays, and who gets kicked off, to his death. Murray is greatly to be complimented on his analysis. Too many other theoreticians hold up their hands in dismay at lifeboat situations. Murray plows ahead on this, as he does on everything.

Best regards,

Walter

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2:30 am on April 22, 2020