Philosophy and the Law | The Large Man and the Shallow Pond: two thought experiments in moral philosophy
Thursday 23rd of January 2025 17:45
Add event to my calendarLocation
Sherrard RoomTimings
17:45 ~ Doors Open
18:15 ~ Lecture
19:15 ~ Reception
Expected to end at approx. 20:30
Dress code
Business AttireEvent Details
Dr David Edmonds will be discussing two thought experiments in moral philosophy, as outlined below, desinged to help people think analytically about ethical affairs.
The Shallow Pond
Imagine this.
You’re walking across a park, and you pass a shallow pond. There’s a noise, and when you look closer, you see that in the pond there’s a toddler thrashing around. She’s obviously in danger of drowning. You look around for her parents or carer, but there’s nobody there. You’re the only person who can save her, but to do so you must act immediately.
There’s only one problem. As you approach the pond you remember that you’re wearing your most expensive shoes. They cost £150 and wading into the water will ruin them. What’s more, it might make you late for your morning meeting. So, should you let the child drown?
This one thought experiment, conjured up by Peter Singer in 1971, has spawned an enormous literature and been hugely influential in changing attitudes to poverty. Letting people in the developing world die, when they could be so easily helped, is no different from failing to save the drowning child – so the argument goes.
Effective Altruism is just one direct consequence of this thought experiment – a global movement which encourages us to give more, and to give more effectively – in other words, to do as much good as we can. But is the Shallow Pond really an analogy with the real world?
The Large Man
In 1967, a famous Oxford philosopher wrote an article about abortion in which she justified the procedure with a striking fictitious example. It involved a train that was out of control and was heading towards some unsuspecting innocents. The author, Philippa Foot, wanted to work out what counted as acceptable killing. She could never have predicted that her flight of fancy would create a mini-industry. For the past four decades, fantasy cases, involving out-of-control trains, have been used by moral philosophers to debate right and wrong. There are now so many of these scenarios that the study of them has even been given a name – trolley-ology. One case involves pushing a large man over a footbridge. Our responses to these surreal dilemmas carry implications for numerous contested moral areas.
Student members (including transferring lawyers) must attend all elements of the event in order to be awarded the Qualifying Session. This includes any lecture/talk/reception/dinner/speeches.
Who can Attend
Members of the Inn only
Dietary Requirements
Qualifying Session Details
Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session
Learning Aims
After this session, students should be able to:
- Examine how these thought experiments relate to the ethical standards of a career at the Bar
- Identify the relevant skills required to consider these thought experiments.
Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter
- This session is a wider public interest matter as it will discuss moral philosophy and help people think analytically about ethical affairs.
Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement
QS Feedback
If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk
Bookings and Cancellations
Unless the event sells out earlier, booking will close at 09:00 three working days before the event.
Members of Middle Temple can buy tickets online. Please note that you must log in first (if you have not yet created a login please register first). Alternatively, you can buy tickets from the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800.
Members of other Inns, where applicable (please refer to 'Who can Attend'), can buy tickets from the Treasury Office by calling 020 7427 4800. Online booking is not available.
Cancellations: Where we have a waiting list we will offer your ticket to someone else, so please do cancel your ticket if you are no longer able to attend.
Disabled Access and Support
If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Data Protection & Photography
Please be aware that photography, audio and video recording may take place at our events. These may be used for promotional purposes by the Inn, including in printed publications, on our website, and on our social media accounts. If you do not wish to have your photograph taken or to have images of you used, please alert the Education Team at the start of the event. We are unable to guarantee that you will not be included in the background of photographs that are being taken. Contact: 020 7427 4800, education@middletemple.org.uk
All personal data that the Inn stores and processes is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Inn’s Data Protection Policy. You can ask the Inn to stop using your images at any time, or request to see the personal data that the Inn holds on you. For more information please visit the Data Protection page http://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us/data-protection