After Reflecting on the Cases, and How You Would Act

question 4

Essay

After reflecting on the cases, and how you would act, consider what you would say to the family members of those who die. Suppose Thomson would herself take option (i) doing nothing and letting the five die. What should she say to the family members of the five who die? Should we even consider how we would explain our actions to others after the fact? Or is that morally irrelevant?

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Definitions:

Shield Volcanoes

Broad, gently sloping volcanoes formed by the accumulation of highly fluid lava flows, resembling a warrior's shield.

Basaltic Magma

A type of magma that is low in silica and high in iron and magnesium, characteristic of mid-ocean ridges and volcanic islands.

Low Slopes

Areas of land where the gradient or incline is slight, typically leading to the gentle flow of rivers or surface runoff.

Broad, Gentle

Describes wide areas with a mild gradient or slope, often used in geographical and geological contexts.