lifeboat ethics

Questions

What does lifeboat ethics mean?

A system of ethics based on "first come, first served" or "every man for himself" rather than the fair distribution of resources.

Where does lifeboat ethics come from?

Proposed by the ecologist Garrett Hardin, who gave the example of a lifeboat that can hold 50 people but is surrounded by 100 swimmers.

How to pronounce lifeboat ethics

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lifeboat ethics”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “lifeboat ethics”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “lifeboat ethics” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.