Gilkey's Strange Dilemma

Gilkey’s “strange dilemma” is a significant paradox in human life. In his setting, him and his peers are placed in a significantly stressful environment. People from many different backgrounds, economic statuses, religions, and ages are forced to live together in an uncomfortable, cramped, and dirty camp. In this new environment, a person’s primary goal is survival, followed by survival and success for themselves and their families. Within this raises the large moral dilemma that Gilkey’s references. In a community like the one Gilkey’s lives in, basic human needs are attempted to be covered. Food, healthcare, and shelter are provided for all the residents. This is a majorly different life setting for most of these people. Jobs roles are assigned, as at the end of the day the camp needs all parts working

Many people are placed into cramped living experiences. Some rooms house up to 11 men. An example of this dilemma is when Gilkey’s requests that a room with nine mine takes in an additional man to make the living situation “fair.” Logically this idea makes complete sense. The living situation would provide more space for that group of men, which could reduce stress and provide better wellbeing among the people in the camp. One could argue that adding an additional man would harm the welfare of the other room, but having equality amongst the camp would provide consistency. The men in this situation referenced however, do not agree with Gilkey’s logic. They want what’s best for them and they don’t really care if the other room is struggling, because they’re struggling too. In this situation Gilkey’s has to defer to force to instill fairness among the residents. The moral dilemma is broken up here by Gilkey’s by the use of force. In this situation, the men chose the welfare of themselves over the welfare of the camp as a whole, and this may become a detriment in the