You Are Living in a Colonial Outpost on the Edge

question 63

Essay

You are living in a colonial outpost on the edge of the wilderness with winter fast approaching. Your society has had limited but friendly connection with the natives on the other side of the fortress wall, and you know they hold the deer to be a sacred animal, the killing of which demands he ritual sacrifice of a member of their own society. Your food supplies are running perilously low. Killing a deer would mean the certain death of someone on the other side of the wall, not killing a dear will likely mean starvation. Formulate a relativist argument for killing the deer and an absolutist argument for starving.

---

Definitions:

Satisficing

A decision-making strategy that aims for a satisfactory or adequate result, rather than the optimal solution.

Satisfactory Alternative

An option that fulfills the requirements or needs to an acceptable degree, though it may not be the best possible choice.

Ethics

A set of moral principles or values that govern an individual's or group's behavior, distinguishing between what is right and wrong.

Costly Litigation

Legal proceedings that involve substantial financial expenses due to attorney fees, court costs, and other related expenditures.