Reference no: EM132425866

Problem: Imagine that you are a crew member of the Titanic. You find yourself manning a lifeboat that you know is supposed to be limited to 20 survivors and has limited rations for that amount of people. You have no idea if the Titanic's distress signal was heard or picked up by any surrounding ships. You also notice that you have 30 people cramped in the boat and clinging from the sides.

Under Maritime law you are deemed the Captain of this boat and you have a duty to provide for the safety of its capacity of 20 survivors. If you survive, you will have to face a board of inquiry and answer questions as to how you either did, or did not, bring home more survivors. If you do not survive, you will be judged by history with no input from you.

It has been suggested to you that you must eliminate 10 people from the boat to give the remaining 20 people the best chance to survive. You are also reminded that you are expected to bring 20 people (at the least) home safely.

Discuss with your peers:

Question 1: How would you analyze this, and decide what to do, if you used the Utilitarian theory? Explain your decision making.

Question 2: How would you analyze this, and decide what to do, if you used Deontology theory? Explain your answer.

Question 3: What would you do? Explain your decision making; justify your position.