PHI2604 Homework - Imagine that are the sheriff in a town

Social Science - Philosophy PHI2604 Homework

ESSAY PROMPT:

Imagine that are the sheriff in a town which has just suffered a terrible crime– ten people have been murdered.  You meet with your staff, and they explain that due to internet rumors, everyone in the town believes that Phillip committed the murders.  You know this is not true, since you saw Phillip playing at the basketball court, alone, at the time the murders took place.  Unfortunately, no one believes you.  The townspeople demand that you execute Phillip for the murders tonight or else they will riot. 

Assume the following are all true: (i) if you do not execute Phillip tonight, the riot will definitely take place; (ii) many innocent people will die as a result (e.g. they’ll be trampled, fights will break out, etc.); and (iii) the only way to prevent the riot – and thus, to prevent many innocent people from dying – is to execute Phillip tonight. 

Questions to answer:

With all of this in mind, please answer the following questions: What would the consequentialist tell you to do, and why?  Do you agree with the consequentialist?  Why or why not?