Kill One, Save Many?
By MRconrad01
@MRconrad01 (148)
United States
November 10, 2011 10:18pm CST
Consider this hypothetical situation:
A train is coming down the tracks. It has two ways that it can go: The first way, the way it's currently headed, it'll run over four people. The second way is clear. You're walking along and an intoxicated Andre the Giant is alongside the track. If you knock over Andre, it'll send the train along the second set of tracks, leaving the four people safe. Otherwise it'll kill the four people.
Would you kill one person to save the four, knowing that there's a guarantee each way?
2 people like this
2 responses
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
11 Nov 11
I've seen and watched a video where a father sacrifice his own son for the sake of hundred people inside a train.
I might think same way, thu, I can't promised really what to do if in real situation.
Let instinct and conscience decide.
@MRconrad01 (148)
• United States
11 Nov 11
That situation of the father sacrificing his own son brings the idea of utilitarianism into play. Basically, it's the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people. I'm a strong proponent of this value because I think that it's a great idea. Even if I have to die to save a million people, what's the better sacrifice here? That's how I would have to think of it.
@fannekhan (783)
• India
12 Nov 11
Hi
That is not a pleasant situation to be in. But then aren't we all faced with situations in life? So let us tackle this one.
Here are some real life situations faced by the people on this planet
'If you kill the innocent people your seat in jannat(heaven)is confirmed." This makes sense to the illiterate, unemployed,deluded youth and they jump in.
'If you sacrifice a young kid by killing him at the altar your wife will be blessed with a kid'. Mature adults fall for this and decide to sacrifice an innocent kid.
' If you seed the rain clouds by spraying chemicals you can have plenty of rains in selected regions but droughts in the neighboring regions' rich countries will embrace this technology and prosper at the cost of a poor neighbor even though his own country can be devastated by floods!
Coming to your situation:-
If an intoxicated Andre is so powerful why would I kill him? I will encourage the giant Andre by telling him that a certain Mr.Conrad is willing to give you 10000$ and allow you to go on a blind date with his beautiful daughter/wife/mother. If Andre agrees to physically lift the 4 miserable guys on the track imagine the benefits
(i)Andre May have a good time with the cash and the beautiful woman
(ii) Conrad's mother/daughter/wife may have a gala time, after all Andre is a strong giant.
(iii)The four guys will bless him for life.That is for sure.
And what will happen to Conrad? Well..... I leave that to you MRconrad01( Hey,another Conrad ???)
On the other hand I may choose to be a witness because even though I can act I will never be able to control the consequences. Who knows what a certain enraged Conrad can do if he comes to know that I was the one who gave the suggestion to giant Andre.
