Textual Analysis of Lifeboat Ethics

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Holly Nelson-Allen English 101 3:30 Textual Analysis Essay Draft Garrett Hardin (1915-2003) was a professor of biology at the University of California-Santa Barbara and labeled himself a human ecologist. In “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case against Helping the Poor,” Hardin utilizes pathos, logos, and a combination of the two through metaphor, personalization, and dehumanization to persuade the reader that wealthy nations shouldn't assist impoverished nations. Hardin uses metaphor heavily throughout the essay. “Metaphorically each rich nation can be seen as a lifeboat full of comparatively rich people. In the ocean outside each lifeboat swim the poor of the world, who would like to get in, or at least to share some of the wealth.” (Hardin 4, pg 377). Hardin presents his metaphor to show some nations as safe in their wealth and how poor nations would take that from them if they could, with no concern for the well being of the initially secure nations. He uses this to exploit pathos and make the reader fearful that their nation will help poor nations. He implies it will endanger their wealth and security by wasting resources and causing poor nations to just increase their populations. This section is also when Hardin first subtly attempts to personalize his argument. For further personalization, Hardin writes, “Suppose the 50 of us in the lifeboat see 100 others swimming in the water outside, begging for admission to our boat or for handouts.” (Hardin 5, pg 377) . He not only puts the reader directly into the metaphor, but also into a position of power, as opposed to being cast as one of the 100 swimmers desperate for help. The continued manipulation of pathos is intended to make the reader feels as if the situation Hardin describes is personal to their life. It also uses logos by presenting abandoning the 100 as the only logical solution. It allows Hardin to
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