← Famous thought dilemmas

Dilemma 10 of 10

The Lifeboat Dilemma

A lifeboat has limited capacity. You must decide who gets to stay and who must be let go to save the rest.

Imagine

The sea is rising. You must choose quickly — or everyone drowns.

Origin

Used by ethicists like Garrett Hardin to examine resource scarcity and moral choices under pressure.

Ask yourself

Who decides who’s worth saving when not everyone can be?

Only you can see this. It stays in this browser and is never sent to us.

Still unsure? That's the point.

These dilemmas are not puzzles to solve. They're mirrors to look into. Every time you revisit one, you may find a new version of yourself in the answer.

Show all ten dilemmas
  1. 01The Trolley ProblemDoes saving more lives outweigh taking a life through your action?→
  2. 02The Experience MachineWould you trade truth for the feeling of joy?→
  3. 03The Ship of TheseusWhat makes you you — the parts, or the continuity?→
  4. 04The Heinz DilemmaDoes morality bend for love — or for survival?→
  5. 05Buridan’s AssCan indecision itself be a dangerous decision?→
  6. 06The Bystander EffectWhat makes someone take the first step to help?→
  7. 07The Omelas DilemmaCan happiness be built on someone else’s suffering?→
  8. 08The Prisoner’s DilemmaIs mutual trust stronger than self-preservation?→
  9. 09Experience vs. MemoryDo we live for how things feel in the moment — or how we recall them?→
  10. 10The Lifeboat DilemmaWho decides who’s worth saving when not everyone can be?→