Friday, July 29, 2022

3 Situations:

 Let's say I have a mountain cabin which is very remote.


Situation 1.  I come there in the winter to stay for a week and find the place occupied by trespassers.  I force them to leave, even though they claim that they will perish without shelter.

Situation 2.  I am staying there for a week in the winter and one night I hear a knock on the door.  Some backpackers have gotten lost and are seeking shelter.  Am I obliged to give them shelter?

Situation 3.  I invite some friends to stay with me in my cabin for a week in the wintertime.  Sometime in the middle of the week I tire of their company.  It is ethical to turn them out into the wilderness?


Of all of these, 3. is the most straightforward:  I caused them to be in this inaccessible place and if they perished due to me kicking them out, I should rightfully be charged with some degree of murder.

For 2.  If they died from not being given shelter, I might be charged and if I didn't fear for my safety, I at the very least would be considered a massive asshole.

For 1.  They were criminals, so I rightly have reason not to trust them, but I think most people would feel as if I should have done something to keep them alive.

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