Tip 675: An Ethics Test for You

From the Ethics and Values Workshops: An Ethics Test for You

We’ve been talking about ethics and ethical decisions: Given a certain situation, what would you do?

A classic case study is “The Dutch Partisan” argument:

You’re a Dutch partisan hiding Jews in your attic during World War II. The pounding of rifle stocks on your door terrifies everyone in the house.

You open the door, and a squad of Nazi soldiers confronts you. The young Leutnant in charge wears the totenkopf—the skull and crossbones of the SS—on his hat. 

He snarls, “Do you have Jews in this house?” 

And you answer . . . . 

Well?

What?

You lie and answer “No,” because it’s the right and moral thing to do. 

The lives of the innocent are more important than the honesty of your answer. 

So, “The Dutch Partisan” argument goes, honesty isn’t always the best policy. 

But wait a minute. Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. Back the truck up. 

Sure, it’s a valid argument. But it’s not an applicable argument: “Given these circumstances, it’s okay to lie.” 

But when have you ever been given these circumstances? 

Honesty is still the best policy. 

Now, in a time of relative peace, comfort, and well-being, with life and death not in the balance, you can shake your head and answer, “I’m sorry, but I’m not comfortable answering that question.”

What do you think? If you have questions, comments, or arguments, let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts. 

We love this stuff.