Problem: Situations in which someone's life is at stake are some of the most ethically controversial decisions to make. It is also usually the case that these decisions cannot be undone, which makes them more difficult to manage. In what forms and to what extent we value life is fundamental to our world views, and arguably, life is what the sustainability movement is striving to sustain (both individual lives, human and nonhuman, and the collective life on the planet). For these reasons, we take a closer look at the value of life in this exercise.
Identify a situation in which there is ethical controversy and in which life is at stake. Then, describe whether it is ethical to end the life (perhaps in a nuanced, conditional way). You might consider examples such as: abortion, euthanasia, honor killings, capital punishment, hunting for sport, hunting for food, hunting for population control, war, antibiotics, antibacterial products, herbicides, pesticides, bug zappers, mouse traps, etc. Make an argument about whether it is ethical to end the life in that situation and why. Support the argument with reasoning from the weekly learning materials and outside research.