Omelas

In philosophy class last year, we read an interesting story involving a moral dilemma. You are a visitor in the town of Omelas, an idyllic peaceful town where nothing seems to ever go wrong. The townspeople of Omelas are the same as us intellectually, only their society has practically no problems. Everything seems just right, except for one thing. In a deep dark cellar somewhere, there is a boy, locked away from the splendor above. He has been in the room for most of his life. he is small and frail for his age, for he is fed sporadically, and it is the only time he sees another human. Even with the little human contact he has, no one says a kind word to him; in fact, they usually yell at him, and give him a few kicks for good measure. He remembers a time when he used to be loved, so this abuse hurts him all the more.

Here’s the thing- everyone in town knows about this boy- most have in fact seen him in his locked cellar. But no one tries to help, for they know that if he is released, if anyone shows him kindness, the happiness and well being of Omelas will be destroyed.

Knowing all of this, would you like to live here, knowing that everyone’s happiness depends on the suffering of one person?