This week in philosophy with Miriam, we heard this story…
A scorpion asks a frog to carry it across a river. The frog hesitates, afraid of being stung, but the scorpion argues that if it did so, they would both drown. Considering this, the frog agrees, but midway across the river the scorpion does indeed sting the frog, dooming them both. When the frog asks the scorpion why, the scorpion replies that it was in its nature to do so.
We had such an interesting discussion following this and we even tried to apply our ideas to humans.
What do you think? Who is responsible for their deaths? Do you agree that it was in the scorpion’s nature?
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I think that it was definitely the scorpion’s fault that both the scorpion and the frog died, because, even though the scorpion might have had “it in his nature” he lied to the frog and said he wouldn’t sting the frog but then he did. So the scorpion had the responsibility of stinging the frog and therefore they both miserably drowned.
I think it was both of their faults because the frog let the scorpion ride on his back knowing that the scorpion might sting him and the scorpion knew that he might sting the frog.
I think that it’s the frog’s fault because it should have known that the scorpion would sting him. I know that in some ways it’s the scorpion’s fault because it was the scorpion who actually stung the frog but it is the scorpion’s nature. If a dangerous animal is scared it will lash out at the thing that it thinks is threatening to it, and the frog might have dumped it in the water. I think that the frog should have thought it through better, but maybe the scorpion could have showed restraint.
That is an interesting point Sean. I never thought of it that way. Even though I thought it was both I also thought it was mostly the scorpion’s fault. Could you be changing my mind?
I think it is ‘5050’ as the frog was the one swimming across the river but the scorpion should have guessed that he was going to sting the frog.
I also think it’s 50 50 because the frog did know scorpion’s are dangerous therefor letting it go on his back but the scorpion did not tell the truth and if he knew it was in his nature then why go over to the frog for a ride. :->
I think it’s the scorpion’s fault because he should have known it was in his nature, and the frog trusted that he wouldn’t sting him. But then the scorpion broke his promise. SO I THINK IT’S THE SCORPION’S FAULT.
I think that both of them were guilty because the scorpion was the cause of the their death but the frog had agreed to carry the frog across even though he knew that the scorpion stung, beside that was in the scorpions nature.
Please leave a reply and if you disagree with my opinion feel free to ague against it.
I think it was half the frog’s fault because he was still thinking that the scorpion would sting him, he was still unsure and he should of known that the scorpion would.
But then it’s half the scorpion’s fault because she should have realised before that it was in her nature and therefore shouldn’t have asked the frog to carry her across. Even if the frog did say yes, she should’ve really restrained herself from stinging the scorpion.
Therefore it’s both of their faults really, there’s no right or wrong answer! That’s what philosophy’s about!
I think it was the scorpion’s fault because he did already know that he would sting the frog because at the end of the story he said “It’s in my nature” and that proves that he wanted to sting the frog.
I think it was the scorpion’s fault as he stung the frog because he wanted to and he is a brainless fool to sting the frog in the middle of the river.
It was sort of the frog’s fault for being that thick. But the scorpion shouldn’t have done it in the first place. I guess it was the scorpion’s nature but then he should have thought it through.
PRETTY PLEASE help me decide who’s fault it is!
I think that its both of their fault because the frog didn’t use his common sense and the scorpion could have restrained its nature.There is nobody born bad. What is the moral of this story? Is it don’t trust strangers or anybody that looks dangerous?
I think it was both their fault because scorpions only sting if they are scared and also the scorpion promised that he wouldn’t sting him. But the frog should have known that he shouldn’t trust someone he doesn’t know or has never met. So I think it is 50/50.
I think it was the scorpion’s fault because he knew it was in his nature, but he lied and said that he wouldn’t sting him.
And a reply to the people who think it’s the frogs fault:
It’s not! All the frog did was ACTUALLY TRUST the scorpion and he wanted to help, but then the scorpion stung him, so it’s not.
I think it was the frog’s fault because he knew the scorpion might sting but he still said yes, even though he knew his life was in danger . So I think Kirsty and BiBi are wrong and also kinda the people who said it was 50:50.
I think it was the frog’s fault because he allowed the scorpion on to his back and like Sean said if a dangerous animal is scared it will try and injure you. The scorpion had know idea that it was going to be freaked out so it took a ride. Also the frog is a much bigger animal so the scorpion would have felt intimidated and as a result lashed out. Kirsty said it was the scorpion’s fault because he should have known it was his nature but the frog shouldn’t of let the scorpion on his back in the first place.
Therefore it was 100% the frogs fault.
I think it’s the frog’s fault because he trusted the scorpion but of course the scorpion can’t keep a promise, but I do agree it’s in the scorpions nature to attack!
I think it was the frog’s fault because he knew that the scorpion was going to sting him, but he said no the first time then change his mind which was a mistake. He should have know that the scorpion sting that’s his nature. The frog should have followed his instincts. Soooooo it’s technically the frogs fault.
Both of them were just following their instincts – a frog taking an opportunity ,and a scorpion stinging – so no-one was to blame for what happened. However I wouldn’t apply this to humans because we should be able to override our instincts.
I think it was 50/50 because the frog thought he was going to sting but still trusted him to get on his back and the scorpion knew that it was his nature and tried to not sting
It was definitely the scorpion’s fault because the scorpion knew it was in her nature so it wasn’t fair to tell the frog that she wouldn’t sting him.