Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    A lifeguard must choose which group to save solely on the... — Carmelics
    Home/Justice & Punishment
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    A lifeguard must choose which group to save solely on the basis of the greater balance of good over bad, without giving extra weight to the fact that one group contains the lifeguard's friend.

    Justice & Punishment
    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.The well-being of a person is not made more valuable simply because that person is one's friend.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Just as one's own good is not more valuable than the good of others simply because it is one's own, the well-being of one's friend deserves no extra weight simply because of the friendship.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Impartiality requires that no personal relationship confers additional moral weight on an outcome.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Special obligations arise from particular relationships and roles, not merely from impartial assessments of aggregate welfare.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Bernard Williams argues that demanding impartiality in such cases requires 'one thought too many'—the friend's identity is itself a sufficient reason to act.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A morality that dissolves the agent-relative value of friendship into impartial calculus is alienated from the commitments constitutive of a meaningful life.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Deontological role-morality holds that the lifeguard's professional duty is structured by positional obligations, not solely by maximizing aggregate good.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Ross's prima facie duties include duties of fidelity and special obligation that can legitimately override impartial maximization in cases of comparable outcomes.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Topics

    Justice & PunishmentConsequentialism

    Key Terms

    balance of good over bad(as used in ethics)
    Comparing the total amount of positive outcomes (like lives saved, happiness, well-being) against negative outcomes (like harm or suffering) to see which side is larger.
    giving extra weight(as used in decision-making)
    Treating something as more important or letting it count for more in your decision, rather than treating everything equally.
    impartiality (implied by 'without giving extra weight')(as used in ethics)
    Making decisions based only on what's fair and right for everyone equally, not letting personal feelings or relationships change your choice.
    utilitarianism (the underlying ethical theory)(as used in ethics)
    A moral theory that says the right action is whatever produces the most good (happiness, well-being) for the most people, regardless of other factors like personal relationships.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Moral Responsibility3 linked

    Related

    A morality that dissolves the agent-relative value of friendship into impartial ...Bernard Williams argues that demanding impartiality in such cases requires 'one ...Deontological role-morality holds that the lifeguard's professional duty is stru...Impartiality requires that no personal relationship confers additional moral wei...

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: altruism
    View source passageHide passage
    The consequentialist has a more radical interpretation of what impartiality means and requires. His ideal of impartiality does not allow the lifeguard to take into consideration the fact that by swimming north he will be able to save his friend. After all, the well-being of his friend is not made more valuable simply because that person is his friend. Just as my good is not made more valuable than the good of others simply because it is my good, so too the well-being of my friend deserves no ext
    Extraction notes

    Validity: Extracted via Max plan + API grounding/validity checks

    Details

    +4 moreShow less
    Just as one's own good is not more valuable than the good of others simply becau...Ross's prima facie duties include duties of fidelity and special obligation that...Special obligations arise from particular relationships and roles, not merely fr...The well-being of a person is not made more valuable simply because that person ...

    Similar

    The lifeguard ought to save the five swimmers rather than the one, bec...83%Five swimmers will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with one swim...74%One may judge that Sergio ought to save the larger group of drowning p...72%One swimmer will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with five swimm...72%
    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit