As a reminder for new readers, I'm working my way through philosopher Julian Baggini's thought experiments from his book The Pig that Wants to be Eaten (and ninety-nine other thought experiments). I post these on Mondays and give my evolutionary philosophy based response on Fridays. I've enjoyed making my way through 14 of these provoking problems so far, but this 15th one is one of the thorniest. Especially so soon after Memorial Day in America.
-----------------------------------------
It came as a great surprise to his family that Private Kenny was not awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. After all he had died smothering a grenade that would have killed a dozen or more of his comrades. If that was not a 'signal act of valour or devotion in the presence of the enemy' then what was?
They demanded an explanation from his regiment. The statement issued by the army read: 'It has been the practice in the past to reward such actions with the appropriate medal. However, we have decided that it is a mistake to consider such acts as requiring an exceptional devotion to duty. All military personnel are required to act in the interests of the whole unit at all times. To suggest that Private Kenny's act was over and above the call of duty, therefore, suggests that it might be acceptable to sometimes not act in the interest of the whole unit. This is clearly absurd. Therefore, we no longer reward such acts with posthumous awards.
'Although we appreciate this is a painful time for the family, we should also point out that Private Kenny would have died in the blast anyway, so it is not even the case that he sacrificed his life for his colleagues.'
It was hard to fault the cold logic of the statement, but in their hearts Kenny's family were not persuaded that he had acted anything other than heroically. But on what grounds could they appeal?
Baggini, J., The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten, 2005, p. 43.
---------------------------------------------
What do you think? Would you jump on the grenade? Should we expect you to?
-----------------------------------------
It came as a great surprise to his family that Private Kenny was not awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. After all he had died smothering a grenade that would have killed a dozen or more of his comrades. If that was not a 'signal act of valour or devotion in the presence of the enemy' then what was?
They demanded an explanation from his regiment. The statement issued by the army read: 'It has been the practice in the past to reward such actions with the appropriate medal. However, we have decided that it is a mistake to consider such acts as requiring an exceptional devotion to duty. All military personnel are required to act in the interests of the whole unit at all times. To suggest that Private Kenny's act was over and above the call of duty, therefore, suggests that it might be acceptable to sometimes not act in the interest of the whole unit. This is clearly absurd. Therefore, we no longer reward such acts with posthumous awards.
'Although we appreciate this is a painful time for the family, we should also point out that Private Kenny would have died in the blast anyway, so it is not even the case that he sacrificed his life for his colleagues.'
It was hard to fault the cold logic of the statement, but in their hearts Kenny's family were not persuaded that he had acted anything other than heroically. But on what grounds could they appeal?
Baggini, J., The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten, 2005, p. 43.
---------------------------------------------
What do you think? Would you jump on the grenade? Should we expect you to?
Survivors reminiscing.
