What is survival defined as? “Survival-the state or fact of continuing to live or exist typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances.” In a dangerous situation, one can come out alive, or perish as a result of the difficult circumstances. This topic is addressed in the article, “The Moral Logic of Survivor Guilt”, by Nancy Sherman. In this article the author writes about soldiers living with survivor’s guilt. Survivors Guilt is guilt felt when someone survives a situation but feels guilty for those who did not. No, survival is not selfish in the moment, one will do what their instincts tell them and what they are capable of in a situation.
It is common for solders to feel like they could have done more to help their fellow solder even though they aren’t responsible. In her article Nancy Sherman talks about survival guilt saying “The guilt begins an endless loop of counterfactuals-thoughts that you could have or should have done other-wise, in fact you did nothing wrong.” Survival is not selfish for these soldiers because they did all they could in the moment
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In the article, Sherman writes about Capt., Adrian Bonenburger, who was saved by a fellow soldier, Jermiah Pulaski. Unfortunately, Pulaski was killed by police in a deadly bar fight. Sherman writes, “Back in Afghanistan, Pulaski saved Bonenburger’s life twice in one day, but when Pulaski needed help Bonenburger couldn’t be there for him.” It is not selfish that Bonenburger survived, or that he was unable to help his friend, just an unfortunate situation. He should not feel responsible because he was not there, he had no way of helping Pulaski as Pulaski helped him in Afghanistan. Given different circumstances, Bonenburger would have probably helped his friend, and made the unselfish choice to help his friend survive as