Welcome to Grappling with the Gray, a forum for promoting the development of an ethical mindset and ethical decision-making to help us clearly see both sides of complex issues and better navigate the moral challenges of everyday life.
You can’t be ethical until you’ve fully examined and understood both sides of any issue.
Few things in life are black and white. That’s why we have to learn to Grapple with the Gray.
This episode's ethical challenge:
On June 8, 1985, British climber Simon Yates was descending from the 21,000-foot summit of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes when his partner, Joe Simpson, fell and shattered his leg. As blizzard conditions engulfed them, Yates turned to the grueling work of getting his friend down the mountain alive.
For nine hours, Yates labored to lower Simpson by rope down the steep incline 300 feet at a time. Then, Simpson lost purchase and began sliding out of control, his ice axe unable to bite into the powdery snow.
Up above, Yates felt the rope jerk hard and knew that Simpson had gone over the edge. Yates still had control of the rope, literally holding Simpson’s life in his hands. But frostbitten and exhausted after the previous day’s climb and the present day’s ordeal, Yates had no strength to pull his friend up. All he could do was wait helplessly, which he did, as Simpson dangled above the abyss.
But after one hour, Yates felt the snow beneath his feet begin to give way. In moments, he would be pulled down the slope and over the edge, together with Simpson. Instinctively, he reached for his Swiss Army knife and cut the rope, knowing that he was letting his friend fall to his death.
Did Simon Yates do the right thing?
Meet this episode's panel:
Michael Alcee, Phd, is a clinical psychologist in private practice and at Manhattan School of Music whose mission is to inspire everyone to live life creatively.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-alcee-14417755/
Carey Portell is a partially disabled cowgirl and head-on collision survivor who inspires us to change perspectives by confronting our biggest fears.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carey-portell-a0724156/
Ipek Williamson is an Insight Coach, Meditation Advocate & Teacher who intends to bring the world closer to peace and calm, one beautiful soul at a time.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipekwilliamson/
SHOW LESS