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
    The lifeguard ought to save the five swimmers rather than... — Carmelics
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Justice & Punishment
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    The lifeguard ought to save the five swimmers rather than the one, because saving more lives produces a better outcome when all lives are equally valued.

    ConsequentialismJustice & 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.Five swimmers will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with one swimmer
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.One swimmer will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with five swimmers
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Each swimmer's life has equal moral weight
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Contractualism holds that principles must be justifiable to each individual, not aggregated across persons (Scanlon, 'What We Owe to Each Other').
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The one swimmer cannot reasonably be asked to accept a principle that discounts their life merely because others happened to be nearby.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A principle permitting aggregation over individuals treats persons as vessels for value rather than as ends in themselves.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Taurek's 1977 argument establishes that numbers alone do not determine moral weight, since suffering is not transferable across persons.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The five do not suffer 'five times as much' as the one; each faces the same total loss — their own death — so no aggregate loss is worse.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Fairness therefore requires giving each swimmer an equal chance, such as a coin flip, rather than treating majority numbers as decisive.
      ?

      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

    Connections

    1 topic

    Moral Responsibility1 linked

    Related

    A principle permitting aggregation over individuals treats persons as vessels fo...Contractualism holds that principles must be justifiable to each individual, not...Each swimmer's life has equal moral weightFairness therefore requires giving each swimmer an equal chance, such as a coin ...
    +6 moreShow less
    Five swimmers will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with one swimmerOne swimmer will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with five swimmersTaurek's 1977 argument establishes that numbers alone do not determine moral wei...The five do not suffer 'five times as much' as the one; each faces the same tota...The lifeguard can only reach one rock in timeThe one swimmer cannot reasonably be asked to accept a principle that discounts ...

    Similar

    One swimmer will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with five swimm...83%A lifeguard must choose which group to save solely on the basis of the...83%You should save the five people instead of the one person82%Five swimmers will die if the lifeguard goes to the rock with one swim...79%

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: contractualism
    View source passageHide passage
    The Rocks. Six innocent swimmers have become trapped on two rocks by the incoming tide. Five of the swimmers are on one rock, while the last swimmer is on the second rock. Each swimmer will drown unless they are rescued. You are the sole life-guard on duty. You have time to get to one rock in your patrol-boat and save everyone on it. Because of the distance between the rocks, and the speed of the tide, you cannot get to both rocks in time. What should you do?
    Extraction notes

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

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit