January 3, 2011

Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, placed college students in make-believe roles of prisoner and guard, beginning with realistic arrests carried out by the local police.  The experiment went on for several days, during which the guards became increasingly abusive, and the prisoners increasing submissive, in a manner reminiscent of humiliation-based “reality TV” shows — only more extreme.  The experiment was terminated early, after 6 days, for this reason.

Dilemma 3 in 101 Ethical Dilemmas by Martin Cohen.

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January 2, 2011

Lifeboat ethics

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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