One morally relevant difference between the suffering of workers on a municipal project and the suffering of the guest stars on “Torture of the Week” is the:
A: torture victims provide pleasure to viewers, while the workers do not.
B: workers are paid, but the victims are not.
C: workers participate voluntarily, but the victims do not.
D: All of the above
E: None of the above
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: D: All of the above
Each option in the list highlights a morally relevant distinction between the suffering of municipal workers and the suffering of unwilling participants in a fictional show like “Torture of the Week.” These differences help justify why society might morally tolerate some forms of hardship, like labor, while condemning others, like torture for entertainment.
First, option A points out that torture victims in the show generate entertainment for viewers. This is significant because using human suffering as a means to amuse others treats people as objects, which is ethically problematic. In contrast, municipal workers’ labor is not designed to entertain, and their suffering is not commodified in the same way.
Second, option B notes that municipal workers are typically compensated for their work. Payment is a form of recognition and respect for their effort and time, and it gives them the means to support themselves and their families. In contrast, victims of torture receive no such benefit, making their suffering purely exploitative.
Third, and most importantly, option C states that workers participate voluntarily. Consent is a foundational concept in ethics. If someone chooses to do a difficult or painful task knowing the risks and benefits, their participation carries a different moral weight than if they are forced into it. The torture victims in the hypothetical show do not consent, making their suffering involuntary and therefore morally unacceptable.
All three points—lack of entertainment purpose, presence of compensation, and especially voluntary participation—are morally significant. Together, they create a clear ethical divide between the suffering involved in municipal labor and that in forced entertainment. Thus, all options are morally relevant, making D the correct choice.