Fifty To have morals generally means as having a set of values or principles. These values, good or bad are most commonly instilled in us from infancy and usually evolve as we become older and make life choices. Perhaps we can say it’s the foundation of good values in people that bring out their decent and moral conduct. At least that’s what I believe. I would have never imagined that during my vacation, I’d end up shipwrecked out in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean and my sole existence would depend on three individuals aboard that cruise ship that were so different. I say this because prior to the shipwreck I got to socially interact with the other passengers who were on the cruise with me. It’s those three men that are now making all the decisions for one hundred and seventy four other passengers, crewmembers and myself, although very intelligent and equally portray a common sense type of character, have a set of totally different ethical beliefs. The theorist with the divine command type of personality preached daily about “doing what God wants us to do” and how it’s important for parents to raise their children with a strong religious background if we want them to find eternal life with God. Don’t get me wrong, its not that I think he’s wrong or disagree, I just believe that my vacation time involves a lot of RR and I certainly don’t want to be discussing such personal matters with complete strangers. Now, the second gentleman whom I call the “relativist” seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. He’s very personable, courteous, and seems to be a very rational human being. He’s not critical of anyone, minds his own business and has been extremely tolerable with the divine command theorist and the conversations he has basically imposed on him with his beliefs. He’s a neutral type of guy that really wishes to be left alone to enjoy his wonderful vacation. His idea of the whole thing is that “it should be up to each individual to decide, we are no one to force ideas unto others least of all our children”. However, this type of attitude is really upsetting the theorist I exhibit as being a selfish and self centered character. This egotist only values his talents and achievements and most likely reacts on impulse. He probably doesn’t have many friends. Now, this individual scares me. To think that my life is in the hands of someone who will act only on his own interests makes me think that I don’t have a fighting chance for survival. Nevertheless, I’m amongst all these passengers and crew members that are scared, hungry and tired that somehow need to survive this life threatening situation. It’s going to be interesting to see how each of these men will react to try and save us without anyone dying in the process. If you haven’t already, can you imagine or take a wild guess as to who will be guiding us first? The egotist has come forward requesting that he be the first to tell us what the correct course of action will be, the divine command theorist has not volunteered but has offered to help if the egotist fails and last but not least the relativist has worked out the dilemma and although he has developed a plan there’s no way the egotist is going to let him go first.

The life boat is jam-packed like a can of sardines. There are young and old women and men and children ranging from ages 5 to 12 years of age. It’s obvious that the life boat is not going to withstand the excess weight so the egotist needs to think fast. Sitting next to me is an old woman who looks about seventyish. She has countless wrinkles along her cheekbones and mouth, as if she smiled a lot or was a very happy individual throughout her life. The children are crying and scared. Some orphaned by the disaster and others clutching to a loved one like a security blanket. The men are confused and have begun to panic. The persons in the water are yelling out for help and begging for mercy. I’m looking out at the scattered bodies of persons floating in the water and thinking how insignificant we are compared to the ocean. We are helpless. It’s funny, were taught that the earth is three quarters of water and until now, I never really gave that statement much thought. In the midst of my deep thoughts, the egotist stands and tells everyone on the lifeboat that the boat will only sustain fifty people, more than that will make the boat sink. On the boat there are 75 persons so, it’s obvious that 25 need to get off. The divine command theorist tells him “you cannot just throw people off the boat into the water they will die!” The egotist responds and tells him “that if they don’t get off, then everyone will die because of them”. Suddenly, there is an overwhelming feeling of panic and anxiety coming from the people. It’s clear that not one person by their own free will, will jump in the water. The egotist begins to get angry and tells the people that if they don’t get off, he will start pushing them off. People are yelling out in anger, the children’s cry’s become louder, the boat is rocking uncontrollably, when suddenly the divine command theorist and another young man fall into the water. Taking advantage, the egotist begins pushing those people at his arms length off the boat and into the water. The relativist stops him and tells him “that he is going about it the wrong way, you are not thinking straight”! The egotist manages to push nine people around him off the boat, bringing the total to 64 on the boat. I’m sitting on the west end of the lifeboat making sure I don’t make any eye contact with anyone, keeping to myself and very scared to be selected or thrown off the boat. The divine command theorist tells those floating in the water to swim toward the life boat and to make sure to stay close. “We need to depend on each other now”, he tells everyone. The egotist has abandoned all logic and his instability in the crisis is evident. He reiterates his threat to start pushing people off the boat if they don’t get off by their own free will. Suddenly, the old woman sitting next to me speaks out and says “why don’t you get off the boat?” The egotist becomes infuriated at the old woman’s remark and demands that she get the hell off the boat or he will push her off. The old woman tells him, that she will not jump by her own free will; he will need to push her off. The egotist makes his way to the west end of the boat the people start yelling, attempting to stop him from committing the most despicable action known to mankind, murder. Now, I can’t explain it in detail how it happened because my eyes were closed more than they were open; but the old woman was thrown off the boat and with her went the egotist. She must of held on to him during the struggle or someone took advantage of the situation and pushed them both off the boat. I hated to see the old woman go but, there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t say the same for the egotist. He was now in the water, with the divine command theorist and one hundred and twelve other people. The divine command theorist has not become hopeless or disappointed under any circumstances. His firm faith in God, who is the Master of all the treasures of the earth and the heavens, and whose grace and bounty have no limits and whose powers are infinite, make him strong and encourages everyone in the water and on the life boat to be strong and have hope. The egotist has failed at his plan and the divine command theorist is in the water that leaves the relativist to implement his thought out plan. The relativist takes a stand and begins to tell everyone that they must remain calm and optimistic. He has a plan that he would like to introduce to everyone; that if they agree and follow it thru accordingly, they may have a fifty percent chance for survival. He asks that the people floating in the water come closer to the life boat so that everyone can hear his plan and participate in the opportunity for survival. He begins by telling those in the water that in order to travel at a faster pace, they must form a chain with the leader holding on to the boat. They must keep their legs moving, similar to a propeller. The egotist yells out to the relativist, “what about the sharks!” The relativist doesn’t answer. The divine command theorist tells him “if it God’s will that you die, than you shall”. The relativist continues to relay his plan by telling those on the boat that all persons except the egotist will have an opportunity to be on the boat. The egotist will remain in the water at all times. The alternating will be continuous with only fifty people on the lifeboat. His plan was encouraging and suddenly the terror of dying seemed less devastating to me. The divine command theorist told everyone that it was a good plan and that everyone should make an effort if they wanted to survive. He told everyone “have faith in and dependence on, God”. “He will never leave us”. “Believe in him, he will make us strong with determination, patience and perseverance”. For two days the people alternated, with fifty people on the life boat resting and the remainder in the water. The children were the only ones that remained on the boat the entire time. The egotist expressed his dissatisfaction constantly. He bashed everyone aggressively, accentuating the relativist because it was his decision to leave him in the water. Then the bashing stopped. We noticed that he wasn’t paddling at the end of the chain. He was gone. In the days to follow, I must say I began to miss the egotist. He had a way of getting people upset which in turn made us fight harder for our lives. He voiced his opinions and repeatedly reminded us that we would not survive. I don’t know for sure how long the alternating rhythm lasted nor can I say for sure who survived the shipwreck. My state of mind declined with each day that passed and I stopped counting at day seven. The divine command theorist, the egotist and relativist each had their own theories of how to help us survive. The egotist only thought about saving himself without feeling guilty or apologetic; basically losing all respect for himself as well as others and ended up dying sooner than expected. The divine command theorist, with his strong belief in God, helped everyone willingly and accepted God’s plans for him whether it be to live or die.

The relativist with his tolerant and prudent character carried out a plan that didn’t save everyone but gave everyone a fighting chance for survival. I can say, that without the divine command theorist and his words of hope and faith, I would not have had the opportunity to reflect on my past and reconcile with God. I thank the relativist, for his intelligence, optimistic and fair behavior towards everyone. My ethical approach to this matter would have been to be fair and honest just like him. To give everyone the opportunity to make their own decision right or wrong without being judgmental or offensive. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for the relativist, I don’t think I would have survived for as long as I did.