How Are Your Christian Ethics

[Socialite]

Most people think they have a good handle on their ethics, and could make the right decision in crucial matters, or "it will all work itself out."

It surprised me recently how some answered the following scenario. Listening for self-preservation over self-sacrifice, utilitarianism and relativism over ontological Christian ethics. In the scenario below, was the Captain wrong?

In 1842, a ship struck an iceberg and more than 30 survivors were crowded into a lifeboat intended to hold seven. As a storm threatened, it became obvious that the lifeboat would have to be lightened if anyone were to survive. The captain reasoned that the right thing to do in this situation was to force some individuals to go over the side and drown. Such an action, he reasoned, was not unjust to those thrown overboard, for they would have drowned anyway.

If he did nothing, however, he would be responsible for the deaths of those whom he could have saved. Some people opposed the captain’s decision. They claimed that if nothing were done and everyone died as a result, no one would be responsible for these deaths.

On the other hand, if the captain attempted to save some, he could do so only by killing others and their deaths would be his responsibility; this would be worse than doing nothing and letting all die. The captain rejected this reasoning.

Since the only possibility for rescue required great efforts in rowing, the captain decided that the weakest would have to be sacrificed. In this situation it would be absurd, he thought, to decide by drawing lots who should be thrown overboard. The captain made the decision of who was left behind so that others could survive.

As it turned out, after days of hard rowing, the remaining survivors were rescued and the captain was tried for his action.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Most people think they have a good handle on their ethics, and could make the right decision in crucial matters, or "it will all work itself out."

It surprised me recently how some answered the following scenario. Listening for self-preservation over self-sacrifice, utilitarianism and relativism over ontological Christian ethics. In the scenario below, was the Captain wrong?

It's interesting to note he must of thought himself to be of great importance because he didn't consider casting his self over board to help the others.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Austin

It's interesting to note he must of thought himself to be of great importance because he didn't consider casting his self over board to help the others.

Some of the answers:

1) He was the Captain, knew the waters best, and was the best chance of survival for the remaining survivors (though that doesn't explain the crew)

As the story has it, this was pre-planned, and when they knew it had to be done, the crew executed the orders -- through a brother and sister overboard, and the other sister who demanded to suffer the fate of her siblings as well.

The jury gave the defendant six months of jail, while even many extolled his heroism. There certainly is not black and white here, but which is most correctly in-line with Christian principle?

[Jeffrey]

Has anyone seen the movie Sophie's Choice (Meryl Streep)?

It's based on the novel by William Styron. Streep plays a polish woman sent to the Auschwitz death camp. On arrival, she is "honored" for not being a Jew by being allowed a choice: One of her children will be spared the gas chamber if she chooses which one.

[Jeffrey]

Abraham is often accused of not trusting in God when he lied about Sarai being his sister. In fact, he did this at least twice.

In Jeffrey's example, the movie, Sophie's Choice, Sophie lies about her faith and her Jewishness in order to save the life of her family. Is this acceptable? If telling a lie will save your life, should you? Does it depend what the lie is?

[Socialite]

Anyone else want to weigh in? If you were on the jury, how would you respond to the charges of homicide brought against the Capt?

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by cccfree

Well I believe that I'm saved by grace and not by works, ethics, or law!

, but what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

[missourimary]

Regarding the boat, I assume I might have explained the situation and asked for volunteers, but that would have meant some committed suicide to save others. On the other hand, everyone might have taken turns in the water yet connected to the boat, or someone might have been tossed overboard during the storm. I'm not sure the captain was wrong, but he had a horrific decision to make, definitely. No choice would have been easy for him or those watching.

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

In Jeffrey's example, the movie, Sophie's Choice, Sophie lies about her faith and her Jewishness in order to save the life of her family. Is this acceptable? If telling a lie will save your life, should you? Does it depend what the lie is?

If someone denied their Christianity to save their family's lives, would that be acceptable? How many martyrs are extolled for refusing to deny Jesus and being killed as a result? How many times have we been warned that if we deny Christ, He'll deny us? Yet I've wondered... if saying you're a Christian means getting killed, isn't that statement kind of suicidal? If your profession means others will die, is that murder? I don't know the answer to your questions.

[jfrog]

Without knowing the probabilities associated with each action and result it is impossible to judge the ethicalness of his decision.

My personal opinion is that the captain made the correct decision. Though the specifics in how he carried out that decision may have been questionable. For example: the last person thrown overboard may have not caused the boat to sink if left aboard and thus it would have been sufficient to leave that person aboard.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Without knowing the probabilities associated with each action and result it is impossible to judge the ethicalness of his decision.

My personal opinion is that the captain made the correct decision. Though the specifics in how he carried out that decision may have been questionable. For example: the last person thrown overboard may have not caused the boat to sink if left aboard and thus it would have been sufficient to leave that person aboard.

Relative ethics? Utilitarian ethics? All depends on best outcome? Is there any other way to gauge what is most right? That seems a risky and dangerous ethic, and I can think of some scenarios right now where that would be scary.

The Captain sabotaging and murdering people... I have a hard time seeing that as ethical, regardless of the circumstance.