I've been considering the "Lifeboat dilemma" for a while now, and it seems I'm reaching an understanding (or a wisp of one?). Singer denounces the the problem, deeming it "bizarre," and thus impractical. And while the literal situation is an unrealistic and improbable one, there is great value in its consideration. In fact, the though process should be the highlight and the focus of the problem, not whether it has literal practical implications. The practical application of the problem lies in our determining of our values, how and what we value, and why. Such details can often be overlooked in a thoughtlessly moralizing culture. Problems like the lifeboat dilemma can offer individuals a renewed perspective on their world, their relationships, and the importance of their various exchanges throughout.
1 comment:
I agree that the more unrealistic the scenario, the more abstract the potential lessons. Those lessons can be important and life-changing, and often involve theory/principle comparison, replacment, and refinement.
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