Activity:

Question

SupposeyouareatJigjigawithadyingmillionaire.Withhisfinalwords,hebegsyouforonefinal
favor:“I’vededicatedmywholelifetofootballandforfiftyyearshavegottenendlesspleasurerooting
fortheEthiopianCoffeeClub.NowthatIamdying,Iwanttogiveallmyassets,$2million,tothe
EthiopianCoffeeClub.”Pointingtoaboxcontainingmoneyinlargebills,hecontinues:“Wouldyou
takethismoneybacktoAddisAbabaandgiveittotheEthiopianCoffeeClub’ownersothattheycan
buybetterplayers?”Youagreetocarryouthiswish,atwhichpointahugesmileofreliefand
gratitudebreaksoutonhisfaceasheexpiresinyourarms.AftertravelingtoAddisAbaba,youseea
newspaperadvertisementplacedbyyourfavoritecharity,theEthiopianRedCrossSociety(ERCS)
(whoseintegrityyoudonotdoubt),pleadingfor$2milliontobeusedtosave100,000peopledyingof
starvation.Notonlywillthe$2millionsavetheirlives,butitwillalsopurchaseequipmentandthe
kindsoffertilizersnecessarytobuildasustainableeconomy.Youdecidetoreconsideryourpromise
tothedyingEthiopianCoffeeClubfan,inlightofthisadvertisement.
Whatistherightthingtodointhiscase?

Answer 1

In this situation, it is important to weigh the needs of both causes and make a decision based on what will have the greatest impact for good. Saving 100,000 people from dying of starvation and helping to build a sustainable economy in Ethiopia through the Ethiopian Red Cross Society seems to be the more pressing and impactful cause. Therefore, it would be morally right to honor the dying millionaire's wish to donate the money to the Ethiopian Coffee Club, but redirect the funds to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society instead, as it will save lives and have a long-lasting positive impact on the community. Ultimately, the right thing to do in this case would be to prioritize humanitarian aid and use the money to support the ERCS.