A
AliciaCL
Guest
The original question and scenario sound strikingly similar the case of the Essex (real life cannabilism at sea story, precurser to Moby Dick novel) and also to a real old English case (1600’s? 1800’s?) and often included in law school case books to address ethics and criminal and *mens rea *discussions. Couldn’t find the real case but if memory serves, the captain ordered someone to be thrown off the boat or to die to feed others (yes, cannibalism). The others lived. Captain was put on trial for murder. Was convicted and given a light sentence due to extenuating circumstances and mitigating facts. Seems like that is the “right” result in law and in ethics/morals. Bottom line, no it isn’t OK to kill an innocent person to bring about a higher good. One doesn’t know the higher good will come. It’s an educated guess at best. You might say it was good leadership to make the decision but the criminal element and injustice toward the victim is just as evil and wrong as ever.