What Is the Worth of a Single Mortal Life? A Philosopher's Perspective
"What is the worth of a single mortal life?"
This question stops most Baldur's Gate 3 players in their tracks. You're exploring the Dank Crypt, you open an ornate sarcophagus, and suddenly this mysterious undead figure—Withers—poses one of philosophy's most challenging dilemmas. The moment captures everything that makes the game special: moral complexity wrapped in compelling storytelling.
Here's the thing: there's no wrong answer to Withers' question. Your response becomes a window into your character's values rather than a test with predetermined solutions.
While your philosophical stance won't dramatically alter the game's trajectory, it reveals something essential about how you approach moral choices.
After this encounter, Withers becomes a permanent fixture in your camp, ready to resurrect fallen companions and facilitate class changes—for a price. That resurrection service costs 200 gold per party member, making him invaluable despite never joining your party directly.
This article breaks down every possible response to Withers' question, explores what each choice reveals about your character, and examines why this moment matters in the broader context of the game.
Whether you're facing this decision for the first time or reconsidering your past choices, you'll find insights that enhance your understanding of both the game and the philosophical traditions it draws from.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available in Early Access on PC and will release on August 3rd, 2023, with the PlayStation 5 version following on September 6th, 2023.
What is the worth of a single mortal life? (Short answer)
Withers' question cuts straight to the heart of moral philosophy—and there's no objectively correct response. This inquiry probes your deepest convictions about human existence, dignity, and the frameworks you use to evaluate worth.
Baldur's Gate 3 offers six standard responses to Withers' question, plus race-specific options for certain characters:
- "No one life is worth more than any other. We are equal."
- "That depends on a person's deeds."
- "Life's only value is as currency. Doesn't matter to me otherwise."
- "Each life is of infinite value and merits sacrificing everything for."
- "The only life that matters is mine."
- "Depends on the mortal."
If your character is an elf, you can answer, "Some mortals live much longer than others. I can't compare them".
Each response represents a distinct philosophical tradition. Immanuel Kant distinguished between price and dignity, arguing that human life possesses "incommensurable worth" that transcends monetary value.
This perspective aligns with the infinite value option. Meanwhile, existentialist thinkers might embrace the self-focused response, emphasizing that we create our own meaning.
Psychoanalyst Bruno Bettelheim identified finding meaning as "our greatest need and most difficult achievement". Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl took this further, suggesting our "will to meaning" drives us more than pleasure or power.
Socrates believed "the unexamined life is not worth living," positioning philosophical inquiry as the source of life's value. Aristotle described flourishing as continuous self-improvement.
Contemporary existentialists might argue, "it doesn't matter what you do, what matters is that it's meaningful for you"—supporting the individualistic choice.
Withers responds differently to each answer, but these reactions don't affect gameplay mechanics. Tell him all lives are equal, and he notes, "In death, that is so". Claim each life has infinite value, and he responds, "And thus balance is achieved. If all are at war, none can win". He generally favors altruistic choices over selfish ones, but continues offering his services regardless.
This moment appears early as a moral compass calibration rather than a consequential decision. The question's depth reflects the game's broader engagement with philosophical themes that mirror real-world debates about resource allocation, medical ethics, and social priorities.
Some philosophers argue physical life serves as "a necessary condition for all the other human goods", while others question whether meaning requires cosmic significance or emerges from personal commitment.
Your answer reveals your character's moral framework—nothing more, nothing less.
All possible answers and what they mean
Your response to Withers' question becomes a mirror reflecting your character's core beliefs. Each answer represents a distinct ethical framework that philosophers have debated for centuries—now distilled into dialogue choices that shape your roleplaying experience.
1. No one's life is worth more than another
Choose this egalitarian stance, and Withers responds: "In death, that is so." Your character embraces fundamental human equality, rejecting hierarchies based on status, wealth, or achievement.
This perspective aligns with democratic ideals and universal human rights principles. Yet Withers' response carries weight—death as the great equalizer suggests that true equality might only exist at life's end. It's one of his preferred answers, indicating approval for this moral framework.
2. It depends on a person's deeds
This merit-based approach judges worth through actions and choices. Withers' reply—"I am sure thou believest as such"—sounds almost diplomatic, neither endorsing nor dismissing your perspective.
You're embracing virtue ethics here, where moral ledgers determine value. It's a common viewpoint that connects to karmic principles, though Withers' noncommittal tone suggests he's heard this reasoning countless times before.
3. Life is only valuable as currency
The cynical choice frames existence in purely transactional terms. "To some, it is the only currency," Withers acknowledges, recognizing this harsh reality without judgment.
This nihilistic viewpoint reduces people to commodities—something to be traded, spent, or invested. While morally questionable, Withers understands that some beings indeed operate this way. His response shows awareness rather than approval.
4. Each life is infinitely valuable
Select this idealistic stance, and Withers notes: "And thus balance is achieved. If all are at war, none can win." You're positioning every life as sacred, connecting to religious and humanistic traditions.
Withers appreciates this answer, suggesting that universal value creates moral equilibrium. His comment about warfare hints at practical complications—when everyone matters equally, conflict resolution becomes complex. Still, this ranks among his favored responses.
5. Only my life matters
Pure self-interest meets an unexpected response: "At this particular junction, perhaps that is not so far from the truth." While Withers typically dislikes selfish answers, he acknowledges your unique predicament.
You're infected with a mind flayer parasite. In this context, radical self-preservation makes tactical sense. Withers recognizes that sometimes survival demands ethical flexibility, even if he doesn't endorse the philosophy long-term.
6. It depends on the mortal
This relativistic approach suggests different beings possess different worth. Withers responds: "I am curious by what standards thou shalt judge." His question probes deeper—what criteria will you use for such evaluations?
The answer allows nuanced assessment based on individual circumstances, but Withers' skepticism shows through. He's prompting self-reflection about the standards that determine someone's value, challenging you to examine your own judgment framework.
7. Race-specific answers
Certain races unlock unique dialogue options that reflect their cultural perspectives. Elves can state: "Some mortals live much longer than others. I can't compare them"—acknowledging how lifespan differences affect mortality perspectives.
Lolth-Sworn Drow may declare: "Life only has value where Lolth decrees it," reflecting their theological framework where divine judgment determines worth.
These race-specific choices showcase how cultural and biological differences shape moral philosophies, adding layers to the game's exploration of ethics across fantasy species. Your background influences not just your capabilities, but your fundamental worldview.
How Withers reacts to your choices
Withers has opinions about your philosophical stance, though he keeps them subtle. His responses reveal a moral framework that favors balance and equality while showing skepticism toward extremes.
Preferred answers and their tone
Egalitarian perspectives earn Withers' quiet approval. Choose "No one life is worth more than any other," and he responds with solemn recognition: "In death, that is so". Tell him "Each life is of infinite value," and you'll hear his measured reply: "And thus balance is achieved".
Merit-based answers get neutral treatment. Say worth "depends on a person's deeds," and Withers offers a noncommittal "I am sure thou believest as such". Similarly, claiming worth "depends on the mortal" prompts his curious response: "I am curious by what standards thou shalt judge".
Selfish or transactional views draw sharper reactions. Frame life as mere currency, and Withers observes coldly: "To some, it is the only currency". Declare "The only life that matters is mine," and he acknowledges your predicament without endorsing it: "At this particular junction, perhaps that is not so far from the truth".
What happens if you attack Withers
Some players skip philosophy entirely and swing their weapons. It's a futile gesture. Withers takes zero damage and responds with dry humor: "Ah, yes. Well struck" or "Thy accuracy would be lauded, had it a purpose".
Combat against Withers feels surreal—your party members flail uselessly while he offers bemused commentary. His invulnerability serves gameplay necessity more than narrative logic, ensuring his essential services remain available regardless of player aggression.
Does your answer change the story?
Your philosophical choice creates no lasting consequences. The conversation serves as character development, not plot branching. Attack him, insult him, praise him—Withers appears in your camp regardless.
This design makes practical sense. Withers provides the game's most reliable resurrection service, making him too mechanically important to lose based on moral choices. Without his services, death becomes far more punishing.
The exchange functions as a mirror rather than a gate. It reflects your character's values without blocking access to essential game systems. You get insight into your moral framework while maintaining full access to Withers' crucial camp services.
Who is Withers and why does he ask this?
That ornate sarcophagus in the Dank Crypt holds more than most players realize. When you pry it open and meet Withers for the first time, you're not just encountering another NPC—you're face-to-face with one of the most significant figures in Dungeons & Dragons lore.
Withers' identity and role in the game
Withers keeps his cards close to his chest. He introduces himself modestly as "a scribe, a seneschal – a keeper of records". The withered undead figure with his elaborate gilded adornments seems content to let you draw your own conclusions about his true nature.
But the clues pile up quickly. This being cannot be damaged or killed. His knowledge spans eons. His casual familiarity with death itself suggests something far beyond a simple crypt keeper.
Most telling of all: evidence throughout the game points to Withers being Jergal, the ancient "Lord of the End of Everything" and "Final Scribe"—a former god of death who voluntarily surrendered portions of his divine power to three mortals who became the Dead Three.
If that's true, you've essentially recruited a retired deity to handle your party's logistics.
His services: resurrection, respec, hirelings
Withers offers three essential services that keep your adventure running smoothly:
- Resurrection: Fallen companions return to full health for 200 gold
- Respeccing: Complete character class changes and ability redistributions for 100 gold
- Hirelings: Basic companions available for 100 gold once you reach level 3
Without these services—especially resurrection—certain aspects of the game become significantly more challenging. Withers knows this, which explains why he remains available regardless of how you answer his philosophical question.
Why he tests your morality
Withers' question about mortal life's worth serves multiple purposes. On the surface, it's a philosophical test that lets you establish your character's moral framework without mechanical consequences. But there's something deeper at work.
Consider the source: a being intimately connected with death is asking you about life's value. Withers clearly has investment in your party's success against the Absolute. His question probes not just your moral compass, but your understanding of mortality itself—a theme that runs throughout your entire journey.
The fact that he offers this test early, then provides death-defying services throughout your adventure, suggests Withers sees something in your party worth preserving. His preferences among your answers reveal his own perspective, but his continued support remains constant.
For a former god of death, understanding how mortals value life isn't academic—it's essential intelligence about the beings he's chosen to aid.
The deeper meaning behind the question
Withers' philosophical inquiry does more than advance the plot—it showcases what makes video games uniquely powerful as a storytelling medium. This single question transforms a routine RPG encounter into something that lingers long after you've closed the game.
How the question reflects your character's values
Every response you choose reveals the moral foundation you're building for your character. Personal values function as "the measuring sticks by which we determine what is a successful and meaningful life", and your answer to Withers becomes a defining moment in that construction.
Our identities represent "the aggregation of everything we value", making this dialogue exchange far more significant than it initially appears.
The brilliance lies in how the game trusts you to define these values without judgment. Whether you embrace egalitarian ideals or lean into pragmatic selfishness, Withers accepts your perspective as valid—even if he doesn't necessarily agree with it.
Ties to themes of death, choice, and morality
This encounter positions Baldur's Gate 3 within what scholars call "death media"—interactive experiences that reshape how we confront mortality. The game draws from philosophical traditions like Heidegger's concept of "being-towards-death," but translates these abstract ideas into concrete, experiential moments.
Video games offer something no other medium can: the ability to explore ethical dilemmas through active participation rather than passive observation. When Withers asks about life's worth, you're not just watching someone else grapple with the question—you're making the choice yourself, in real time, with consequences that feel personal even when they're fictional.
Why Baldur's Gate 3 uses this moment early in the game
Placement matters. This philosophical moment arrives before you're deeply invested in complex storylines or attached to specific outcomes. It establishes the game's intellectual ambitions upfront, signaling that moral complexity will be woven throughout the experience.
The encounter functions as a foundation for everything that follows—a touchstone moment that prepares you for the morally complex journey ahead. When later decisions force you to weigh competing values or make impossible choices, this early conversation with Withers has already established the framework for thinking about such dilemmas.
What emerges is a game that respects its players' capacity for philosophical reflection while never forgetting that the ultimate goal is entertainment. Withers' question proves that depth and accessibility aren't mutually exclusive—they can enhance each other when handled with care.
Conclusion
Withers' question about the worth of a single mortal life does something remarkable: it turns a moment of gameplay into genuine philosophical reflection.
What started as a simple dialog choice reveals layers of meaning that extend far beyond the game itself. Your response to this ancient being's inquiry becomes a snapshot of your moral priorities—a glimpse into how you weigh individual worth against collective good, personal survival against universal values.
The six standard responses (plus race-specific variations) create a spectrum of ethical positions that philosophers have debated for centuries. Whether you choose egalitarian equality, merit-based assessment, cynical materialism, idealistic sanctity, radical individualism, or contextual relativism, you're engaging with moral frameworks that shape how societies function and individuals find meaning.
What makes this moment particularly powerful is its placement early in your adventure. You meet Withers before you fully understand the stakes of your journey, before the moral complexity of your choices becomes clear. Yet his question prepares you for everything that follows—the difficult decisions about sacrifice, the weighing of competing loyalties, the constant tension between personal desires and greater good.
Withers himself embodies this complexity perfectly. As the likely former god of death, his interest in mortal perspectives on life's value carries weight that most players won't immediately grasp. His services—resurrection, respecting, companion recruitment—make him indispensable regardless of your philosophical stance, reinforcing that moral differences don't necessarily prevent practical cooperation.
This is what sets Baldur's Gate 3 apart from other games. Rather than treating philosophy as window dressing, it weaves these questions into the fabric of the experience. Your answer to Withers matters not because it changes the story's trajectory, but because it changes how you understand your role within that story.
The next time you face Withers' question—whether on a new playthrough or in memory—consider what your choice reveals about the values that guide your decisions both in-game and beyond. Some questions don't have right answers, but they all have meaningful ones.
FAQs
Q1. What is the significance of Withers' question about the worth of a mortal life?
Withers' question serves as a philosophical test that allows players to express their character's moral framework early in the game. It sets the tone for the complex ethical dilemmas players will face throughout their journey in Baldur's Gate 3.
Q2. Does my answer to Withers' question affect the gameplay?
No, your answer to Withers' question about the worth of a mortal life does not have any significant impact on the gameplay or story progression. It primarily serves as a roleplaying opportunity to define your character's values.
Q3. Who is Withers and what services does he provide?
Withers is a mysterious undead character who offers essential services in the game. He can resurrect fallen companions for 200 gold, allow players to respec their characters for 100 gold, and provide basic hireling companions after reaching level 3.
Q4. Can Withers be killed or damaged during the game?
No, Withers cannot be killed or damaged in any way during the game. If players attempt to attack him, he remains unharmed and responds with sarcastic comments. His invulnerability ensures he remains available to provide his crucial services throughout the game.
Q5. What philosophical perspectives are represented in the possible answers to Withers' question?
The possible answers to Withers' question represent various philosophical stances, including egalitarianism (all lives are equal), merit-based value (worth depends on deeds), materialism (life as currency), idealism (infinite value of each life), egoism (only one's own life matters), and relativism (worth depends on the individual).