I. Read the situation below and answer the questions that follow.

Two individuals go on a hunt. Each one may choose to hunt either a deer or a rabbit.
One can successfully hunt a rabbit but it is less valuable than a deer. However, in order
to successfully hunt a deer, they need each other's cooperation. The two hunters agree
that they would hunt a deer together.
While waiting to spot a deer, hunter A sees a rabbit within shooting range. If hunter A
shoots it now, we could say he wouldn't miss. But, in case a deer is nearby, it would be
scared off by the gunshot and they would miss the opportunity of a much more
successful hunt.
(Above is a modified version of a situation described by the political theorist Jean-
Jacques Rousseau. The original version, with its various implications, can be found in
The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure (2004) by Brian Skyrms)

1. If you were hunter A, would you adhere to the agreement to hunt a stag (which
is less probable but more valuable) and miss out the opportunity to hunt a rabbit
(which is more probable but less valuable)? Why?
The hunt situation stated above provides two choices that require thorough
deliberation and logical reasoning. In a situation wherein I am given an option to hunt,
wherein the first option is hunting a rabbit which could be more probable yet less
valuable while the second option is hunting a deer or stag which would have been more
valuable yet less probable whilst cooperating with another hunter, I would agree with the
latter option which is to hunt the deer or stag together with the other hunter. Although
hunting the rabbit would be better off for me, individually, since the goal of hunting an
animal is achieved, the cost of killing only the rabbit has less reward than hunting the
deer. If I was in the situation to choose between the two, I would choose the choice
which would not only make me better off in the end but also my fellow hunter which is
hunting the stag or the deer rather than the rabbit. Also, if one of us does kill a deer,
both of us can be happy and could gladly divide the reward which could make both of us
happier rather than enjoying all the rewards alone if I do choose to hunt the rabbit.
Furthermore, while coming up with a decision, I could have been selfish and could have
decided to choose the rabbit for my own benefit since it was the most probable and
achievable option for me yet looking at the overall picture, it is much better to choose to
cooperate with someone and hunt the deer to achieve more valuable and desired
results that may satisfy not only my needs but also the needs of my fellow hunter. All in
all, I chose to hunt the stag rather than the rabbit since it could benefit me and the other
hunter more despite the risks involved in the process. Lastly, if one of us does kill the
deer, both of us become better off rather than gaining and enjoying all the rewards
alone.
2. What stage of moral development do you think reflects your choice?
From my perspective, my choice and decision regarding the situation of the stag
and the rabbit reflect the fifth stage of the moral development stages which is the social-
contract orientation. In the situation of the stag and rabbit, I chose to cooperate with the
other hunter by preferring to hunt the stag together with the other hunter which is less
probable yet more valuable rather than hunting the rabbit alone which may have been
more probable yet less valuable.
I chose the fifth development which is the social-contract orientation in lieu of my
decision since the development stage classifies my choice the most. My choice of
hunting the deer together reflects the idea of the social-contract orientation wherein I
chose a decision that would make more people rewarded rather than benefitting the
rewards alone. The situation of the hunting of the deer can be reflected in the majority’s
will and the well-being of the society which is the main idea of the fifth development
stage. The idea of the social-contract orientation is that individuals would not consider
themselves first, instead, they will follow the needs and will of the majority of all people
and society rather than themselves. In the fifth stage, a law should be able to cover the
greatest good for the greatest number of people which can be related to that of a
democratic government. The hunting of the deer or stag can be related to social
contracts in the society since the decision aims to achieve the mutual benefit for me and
the hunter rather than for one’s interest only. Similar to the cooperation of the two
hunters to achieve the greatest value, people in the society also work and get involved
together to achieve the greatest benefit that the society may enjoy.
In conclusion, since I chose to cooperate with the other hunter to hunt the deer
rather than the rabbit, I believe that the fifth stage of the moral development stage which
is the social-contract orientation reflects my decision the most. In both situations, I have
chosen the more valuable decision rather than probable as well as a decision wherein
not only I can benefit from.