Trapped in a Cave

Philosophy 202 is an interesting class.

Today, we were given a scenario in which to apply certain types of ethical theories. The story goes that one of the students in the class decided to take everyone in the class (about 25 people) to a cave in Southern Indiana that isn't run by the state or a private organization. After getting into the cave via a fairly small entrance and ending up in a cavern the size of a classroom, everyone decided to eat lunch.

Little does anyone realize, that the seemingly dry cave has begun to fill with water from an outside source slowly leaking into the cave. The host student does notice and figures it's time to go.

After eating, another student asks if he can lead everyone our of the cave. The host is apprehensive, but allows this. However, the student who wants to lead has gotten so bloated that he gets stuck trying to crawl through the cave entrance. After a good amount of pushing and pulling from the trapped students, it's apparent that he is almost permanently stuck. As this is happening, the cave is continuing to fill up with water.

Another of the trapped students stumbles across a small stick of dynamite in one of the still dry corners of the cave. Thus the moral conundrum is: Do you use the TNT to clear a path through the trapped guy in the entrance to save the rest of the people in the cave?

Most people got on their high horse about killing is wrong and blah blah blah. Normally, I would agree with them. All things equal, it is not right to kill anyone. However, when certain situations arise and no viable or clear alternative presents itself, sometimes you have to do what is necessary to save others.

Now, had it just been me and him, I would've thrown that TNT into the slowly rising water in order to keep that thought out of my mind.

However, in our hypothetical situation here, it is 1 versus 24. And the guy stuck is not willing to sacrifice himself to save the others. (Which is some bullshit if you ask me. Had I been the one stuck, I would have gladly taken the stick of explosive and done the right thing to save 24 other human beings.)

But almost nobody in class was willing to do what was necessary to save the greater good. When asked who would actually light the fuse, I was one of only about 3 to raise a hand.

Would I feel bad: absolutely. Would I ever stop trying to redeem myself: no. But would I regret my decision: NO! I firmly contest that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Do the best act to achieve the greatest good.

If that makes me sound like a cold-hearted individual then so be it... but I stand by my ideals.


~Nate-O