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You can only save one— who do you choose? - Doug MacKay

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TEDEd Animation

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You are the captain of an interstellar cargo transport headed to port when you receive two distress calls. The first is from a labor ship, whose passengers are running out of oxygen. The other from a luxury space cruiser which has lost a thruster, sending them careening into danger. With only enough time to save one ship, which should you choose? Doug MacKay explores this classic ethical dilemma.

Utilitarians claim that we should choose the action or policy which promises the greatest sum of happiness. Can you think of any cases where following this principle would lead one to act in counter-intuitive or morally objectionable ways?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Doug Mackay
  • Director Avi Ofer
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam

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