Blog #10

In the section, Competition is Real but Limited, Mary Midgley discusses the idea of lifeboat ethics and the ultimate question of our reactions toward others; does this idea of lifeboat ethics cancel out generous actions toward and the rights of other humans, and if so, where does that place animals (already seen as very low in human consideration) on the list for demands of the world’s resources? Midgley argues that the first problem with the lifeboat ethic is that it turns all people into useless and meaningless mouths to feed, not allies, friends and helpers. Secondly, she argues that this ethic poses the idea that all resources are truly limited (which is usually not the case – a small group of individuals consume much of the world’s resources). Lastly, Midgley argues that this viewpoint points to the fact that those closest to us are those that receive first priority and consideration when dividing resources. As she points out later in the chapter, these lines of kinship can become easily blurred – leading one to become confused over who is the closest to them.
Midgely concedes that competition, even competition as drastic as the lifeboat ethic suggests, does occur in some areas of the world, but that humans do not have to see other humans and animals as only main competitors for resources – they can also be friends and allies. Midgley describes various examples within the animal world where interdependence, not death and pruning of resources, helps the animals to live better lives. And even in the instances when killing is justified, killing should be done and quick manner – not the way described in Cumming’s journal. The main task for humans to realize today is that while competition and differences in species may be natural, men must realize that the world is no longer a struggle between man and beast but a rather a state of interdependence.
I thought that Midgley’s writings, if understood correctly, seemed very reasonable and understandable. Midgley did not seem interested in drilling a point or thought into my head, but rather showing me many different ways of thinking and decoding the world around me. I especially liked the way that she showed the concentric circles of human relationships when describing the lifeboat ethic. It really showed just how complicated the seemingly simple statements of the lifeboat ethic could become.