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Question: Suppose a crew of ruffians were cast ashore on a desert island with a very small amount of food taken from the
Suppose a crew of ruffians were cast ashore on a desert island with a very small amount of food taken from their sinking ship!. Quickly discovering their own tendency to greed and violence, and anticipating no ship in the area for a matter of weeks, they pass a law, effective in their own society only, that all food shall be rationed by a trustworthy second mate, and that taking food otherwise shall be a violation punishable by death!. The law keeps things orderly for some days, but then two men are caught stealing food!. They are sentenced to be hung in the morning!. At dawn the first sentence is carried out, but as the ropes are readied for the second one, miracle of miracles, a ship comes in view, responds to their signal, and starts for them!. What should they do about the second thief ac-cording to!?!? 9!. How would Kant respond!? 10!. How would a Utilitarian respond!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The remaining crew of ruffians should suspend imposition of the sentence on the second convict and await arrival of the ship to determine what to do next!.
Kant would challenge the perception that a ship is coming at all!. If the second offender was Jewish, then he would carry out the sentence a priori!.
A utilitarian would check to see how much food was left!. If most of the remaining ruffians had plenty of food, then the utilitarian would carry out the sentence to hang the second convict based on a majority vote!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I agree with Pyar in some respects!. But, on the other hand, I would have given up my portion of food for one of the two thieves rather than to have had them caught stealing to begin with!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Good one!. Once the perceived direness is gone, the authority and justification are gone!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I don't know how anyone else would respond !.!.!. but if I already hung one man for the crime !.!.!. I would certainly hang the second man!.Www@QuestionHome@Com