Joy, Suffering, and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

In this episode, we dive into Ursula K. Le Guin’s haunting short story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, a philosophical parable that poses a chilling moral dilemma: would you accept a perfect society if its happiness depended on the suffering of a single child? We unpack the story’s allegorical power, exploring themes of utilitarianism, complicity, scapegoating, and moral courage. Why do some stay? And why do others walk away? Join us as we confront the uncomfortable questions Omelas asks—and what our answers say about us.

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