Reading Circle: ‘The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’

Next Wednesday, we will hold a special (and long-awaited) session of the reading circle – this time we will discuss a work of fiction, the famous short story by Ursula K. Le Guin, ‘The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’ (1973).

The story is only four pages long – yet it's frequently taught in ethics, philosophy, and literature courses as a striking example of utilitarianism taken to its extreme and a disturbing illustration of a society that follows this ethical principle to the letter.

Is the social order of Omelas justifiable? Should we all walk away from Omelas?

Let’s discuss the story through the perspective of ethics!

As you read, consider which school of thought (utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics) you find most convincing when it comes to the moral dilemma in Omelas. Would a utilitarian accept one child’s misery for the joy of many, and defend the city’s arrangement? Could a Kantian ever justify treating a person as a means to an end? Does a virtuous person stay in a society built on cruelty? How would each of these approaches judge the society in the story?

We’ll dive into that on the session!

~~~

Location: this time we’ll meet at Justin’s home (Blahníkova 646/16). The names on the buzzer are “McCandless, Everett, Mainous,” go up to the 5th floor and if the button in the elevator gives you trouble then just ride it up to the 4th floor.

Please read the text in advance, make highlights, and write down any thoughts or questions that you find especially interesting and compelling.

Knowledge Will Break the Chains of Slavery
Veritas Vos Liberabit ✊