Making Difficult Choices
Making of choices can at times present a situation where all available options involve disadvantaging someone. It is such a scenario that was envisioned by John Rawls when he theorized the three principles of justice meant to aid in reaching the fairest possible resolution. The decision on who to place on the raft and who should be left to die indeed presents a tough situation. Nevertheless, applying Rawls’ principles would provide a justification of the decision take.
Applying Rawls' Principles
Therefore, in light of the equal liberties principle, equal opportunities principle and the difference principle, the people to place on the raft should be Jenny Biffler, Professor Sally Miller, Aclepius Jones and Frederica Harrington. Rawls’ principles fundamentally require entitlement to as many rights and freedoms as possible as long as they are not taken from other and equality in access to opportunities. Unfortunately, the situation at hand curtails application of these two principles. It is only the difference principle that proves applicable in the selection of the right people to save from dying.
The Selection Process
Jenny Biffler being a 12 years girl with epilepsy proves to be the most disadvantaged of the 9 people still alive. Therefore, considering that in the face of inequalities the most disadvantaged should be the first to benefit, Jenny should be the first person to be placed on the raft. The second person should be Professor Sally Miller. This is because she happens to be highly disadvantaged due to her physical disability, a factor that justifies her preferential treatment.
The third person to place on the raft would be Asclepius Jones, the 29-year-old nurse. Considering her tender age and the personal sacrifices she has made in order to help other people, she would be greatly disadvantaged if she was to be left to die. Saving would mean saving a person whose death would not only be a disadvantage to her but also to the lives she is meant to save in the course of her budding career. Finally, the fourth person to save should be Frederica Harrington. The fact that she has recently been diagnosed with HIV makes him the fourth most disadvantaged among the nine. This justifies the decision to save her in light of Rawls’ principles.
