lifeboat ethics

English

Etymology

Proposed by the ecologist Garrett Hardin, who gave the example of a lifeboat that can hold 50 people but is surrounded by 100 swimmers.

Noun

lifeboat ethics (uncountable)

1. A system of ethics based on "first come, first served" or "every man for himself" rather than the fair distribution of resources.

   Synonym: lifeboatism

See also

• balloon debate