by Joe Wixom

Art and Humanities

Joe, a teacher, is standing at a bus stop just off campus. There are 8-10 people standing and sitting nearby waiting for the bus to arrive. A girl, apparently a student at his school and 40-50 pounds overweight, is being "talkative and silly" with her friends. As the bus arrives, she jumps up at the last minute and trips on her own foot and falls to the ground. She appears to have twisted her ankle and begins to cry.

Joe quickly surmises that she is crying mostly from surprise and embarrassment, and partly from pain. He thinks to himself, "It's her own fault, she should have been paying more attention, she is too heavy for me to lift anyway."

Questions: (With what suggestions do you most closely agree? Why?)

Does Joe have a duty or obligation or responsibility to help?

Should he ignore her without guilt and board the bus (If he misses it there will be a one hour wait for the next one.)

It's clearly her won fault, he has no legal obligation to help but he should try to assist her because it is good to help others in trouble.

He should call for someone else to help her.

He should wait for a minute or two and see if she is really hurt; if she is just briefly down and isn't hurt, he doesn't need to do anything.

He should assist her, but only is someone who is stronger and more her age doesn't

Other?