The Shipwrecked Sailors

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 466.

Case Study

Follow-up

1. For each of the following laws. Indicate whether moral, economic, political or social values are involved. Explain your responses.

a. All drivers must stop at stop signs.

b. It is a crime to cheat on your tax return.

c. All citizens may vote at age eighteen.

d. Special government programs lend money to minority-owned businesses at low interest rate.

e. Government officials may not accept gifts from people who want them to pass certain laws.

f. Possession of marijuana is a crime.

2.a. Identify a problem for which we need a law. Explain your answer.

b. Identify an existing law that is not necessary. Explain your answer.

The Case of…

Three sailors on an oceangoing freighter were cast adrift in a life raft after their ship sank during a storm in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship went down so suddenly that there was no time to send out an SOS. As far as the three sailors knew, they were the only survivors. They had no food or water in the raft. And they had no fishing gear or other equipment that might be used to get food from the ocean.

After recovering from the shock of the shipwreck, the three sailors began to discuss their situation. Dudley, the ship's navigator, figured that they were at least one thousand miles from land and that the storm had blown them far from where any ships would normally pass. Stephens, the ship's doctor, indicated that without food they could not live longer than 30 days. The only nourishment they could expect was from any rain that might fall from time to time. He noted, however, that if one of the three died before the others, the other two could live a while longer by eating the body of the third.

On the twenty-fifth day, the third sailor, Brooks, who by this time was extremely weak, suggested that they all draw lots and that the loser be killed and eaten by the other two. Both Dudley and Stephens agreed. The next day, lots were drawn and Brooks lost. At this point, Brooks objected and refused to consent.

However, Dudley and Stephens decided that Brooks would die soon anyway, so they might as well getitover with. After thus agreeing, they killed and ate Brooks.

Five days later, Dudley and Stephens were rescued by a passing ship and brought to port. They explained to authorities what had happened to Brooks. After recovering from their ordeal, the two were placed on trial for murder.

The country in which they were tried had the following law: Any person who deliberately takes the life of another is guilty of murder.

freighter –грузовое судно

cast adrift -плывущий по течению; брошенный на произвол судьбы

life raft -спасательный плот

fishing gear –рыболовные снасти

nourishment –питание

draw lots – тянуть жребий

object and refuse to consent – возражать и отказаться давать согласие

get over with – покончить, спихнуть, отделаться от ч-л.

rescue -спасать

recover from ordeal – оправиться после тяжелого испытания

placed on trial for murder – передан суду за преднамеренное убийство

deliberately – умышленно, преднамеренно

to be guilty of – быть виновным в ч-л.