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Assuming the Sherpas aren't forced into this line of work, then you're right - they're choosing it over the alternatives because it's a better option for them.
by shimon 11y ago
Assuming the Sherpas aren't forced into this line of work, then you're right - they're choosing it over the alternatives because it's a better option for them.
That doesn't mean that it's ethical for visitors to a country to enjoy a sport wherein they pay to transfer risk of death away from themselves and onto less advantaged local people. I'm not against this type of deal in principle - it's vital to the existence of institutions like EMS and the military - but when the whole thing exists so that megalomaniacs can tick off another box on the "hard things I've achieved" list, there is a real question of justice.
Most people who love capitalism might still draw the line at some types of transactions -- maybe your line is at selling organs or child prostitution, but it probably exists somewhere.
- chc 11y ago> Assuming the Sherpas aren't forced into this line of work, then you're right - they're choosing it over the alternatives because it's a better option for them > That doesn't mean that it's ethical for visitors to a country to enjoy a sport wherein they pay to transfer risk of death away from themselves and onto less advantaged local people. I have trouble seeing how it's more ethical to remove the choice from their hands and force them to do things that they demonstrably would rather not do.
- shimon 11y agoThat's hardly the only alternative. A visitor could instead pay them to be a guide, even a mountaineering guide on another thrilling but less suicidal trek.
- civilian 11y agoDon't we often transfer risk of death while buying certain products? Doesn't my enjoyment of king crab rely on transferring the risk of death while fishing in the arctic from myself to poor fishermen in Alaska? Doesn't any diamond I buy rely on conflict or slavery?