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What is a moral dilemma? In Bernard Williams’ paradigmatic moral dilemma about Jim the Botanist, what duties come into conflict? (N.B. Ridley does NOT discuss Bernard Williams’s version of this dilemma. Please consult my notes). What course of action would the utilitarian argue for and why? What course of action would the deontologist argue for and why?

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Answer: Two contradictory obligations are revealed in Bernard Williams' classic moral conundrum with Jim the Botanist.

Explanation: Jim is compelled to assassinate a military commander in order to prevent the execution of a group of native Americans since he has a moral obligation to preserve lives. However, the obligation to respect life and refrain from harming others clashes with the deliberate taking of life.

A utilitarian might claim that Jim should murder the police because it will maximize happiness for everyone by sparing many lives. A deontologist, on the other hand, would be against murder, putting the worth of life at its core and the precept of non-maleficence first. T

hese ethical viewpoints highlight the complexity and variety of methods of moral judgment in such situations.

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