# Ethics and Morality in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Philip K. Dick.

Moral dilemmas are central, including the crew's decision to eat the wub despite its intelligence, the ethical cost of war in 'The Defenders,' and the sacrifice of individuals for the greater good in 'The Skull' and 'The Gun.'

## Where it surfaces

- [Beyond Lies the Wub](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/beyond-lies-the-wub): The crew grapples with the ethical dilemma of killing a sentient being; Franco dismisses moral concerns in favor of practicality.
- [Mr. Spaceship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/mr-spaceship): Kramer struggles with the moral implications of asking Professor Thomas to sacrifice his body for the war effort, and Thomas questions the ethics of war itself.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/iv): Reinhart's plan to execute Cole via the Euthanasia Ministry and his willingness to kill Sherikov's men raise questions about the morality of wartime actions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/themes/ethics_and_morality
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/themes