The battleship Northern Spirit is torpedoed, and its crew launch the few lifeboats that remained undamaged. The captain is aboard of the overloaded lifeboats, which is surrounded by screaming sailors destined to perish in the icy waters. They beg to be hauled aboard, but the captain fears the boat will sink. What should he do?
A young cabin boy finally manages to grasp the boat and begins to pull himself aboard, as the boat tips dangerously. The ship’s cook, Bert, is nearest the boy, and the captain orders Bert to push him back into the sea. What should Bert do?
Dilemmas 1 and 2 in 101 Ethical Dilemmas by Martin Cohen.
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