Question Database: Ethics
Killing in self-defence
The Trolley situation has arisen. But the lone track worker has brought along his rifle today. He sees Bloggs about to pull the lever. He wonders if it would be permissible to shoot Bloggs in self-defence.
Which of the following is true:
I. On Thomson's "killing' theory, the worker may harm Bloggs in self-defence.
II. On Thomson's account of Trolley, Bloggs is not threatening to violate the worker's right to life.
A. I only.
B. II only.
C. I and II.
D. Neither.
Answer: C
Topic:
self-defence, Thomson
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Notes:
Reference:
Context from lecture:
THOMSON'S "KILLING' THEORY
CONDITION. If you don't harm X, X will kill you.
THEORY. Whenever the condition is true of someone, you may harm them in self-defence.
A grizzly bear confronts you in the woods. If you don't shoot him, you will be killed. Which of the following are true:
I. If you don't harm the bear, the bear will be morally responsible for killing you.
II. The theory of Otsuka entails that you may not harm the bear in self-defence.
A. I only.
B. II only.
C. I and II.
D. Neither
Answer: D
Topic:
self-defence, Otsuka
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Notes:
Reference:
Context from lecture:
OTSUKA'S THEORY [ROUGHLY]
CONDITION. If you don't harm X, X will be morally responsible for killing you.
THEORY. Whenever the condition is true of someone, you may harm them in self-defence.
Which of these statements could be significant factors for a utilitarian considering whether we have a right of self-defence, and its limits?
I. If I forgo the right to self-defence, I will be less secure.
II. If the right to self-defence is extended to a right to self-preservation then security for all will be diminished.
III. If the right to self-defence includes the liberty to harm innocents, then we will all be vulnerable to attack.
A. I and II only.
B. I and III only.
C. II and III only.
D. I and II and III.
Answer: C
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Topic:
utilitarianism, self defence
Notes:
Context from lecture:
the utilitarian has some similar reasons as Hobbes to adopt a rule governing self-defence that limits its applicability. But:
Utilitarian cannot justify individual acts on basis of a rule.
Problem of extreme sacrifice: the organ-harvesting attacker, etc.
Hobbes has no such difficulty, because of the egoistic basis of the contract approach.