The Cookout

[Yuskii]

So, there's a vehicle traveling down the train tracks, and there are 5 people that are tied up on the train tracks, but there is a fat man at the top of the bridge with you that you can push down to prevent the vehicle from killing all 5 of the tied up people at the bottom, do you push the fat man to save the 5 people, or do you let the vehicle run over the five people while sparing the fat man at the top of the bridge?

This is a thought experiment on ethics, on if sacrificing a person for a larger number of people is considered ethical by others.

 

[Jay]

Well I'm going to answer within the scenario and outside of it.

Outside of the Scenario
I'd cut the ropes off the people on the train tracks and try to ascertain who did it, why, and then we'd round that person up and tie them to the tracks ourselves.

Inside the Scenario
I'd need to think of the benefit the people have to the society. Let's say we were a hunter gather society and the fat dude did nothing but eat and be lazy but some of my best hunters and carpenters were on the tracks...in that case I'm pushing fatso over with no hesitation. I'd rather sacrifice the bum to save the talent. But if the fat person was the talent and the people on the tracks were the bums I'd prioritize the talent.

 

[Yuskii]

I'd need to think of the benefit the people have to the society. Let's say we were a hunter gather society and the fat dude did nothing but eat and be lazy but some of my best hunters and carpenters were on the tracks...in that case I'm pushing fatso over with no hesitation. I'd rather sacrifice the bum to save the talent. But if the fat person was the talent and the people on the tracks were the bums I'd prioritize the talent.

Ohhhh I like how you think, this is exactly how I would weigh my options, but what if they all had good qualities about them that are important? do you still kill the fatman? or does it depend on what the fatman in particular is skillful at, and if he's more competent at what he does than the 5 people?

 

[Jay]

Ohhhh I like how you think, this is exactly how I would weigh my options, but what if they all had good qualities about them that are important? do you still kill the fatman? or does it depend on what the fatman in particular is skillful at, and if he's more competent at what he does than the 5 people?

Well you have to think about the long term. My immediate thing will be to secure the people that help us maintain food, water, and shelter. Water first, food next, shelter 3rd. So it starts becoming complex in that event and I'd have to answer based on whatever scenario that was presented.

 

[Harbinger]

View attachment 4903

So, there's a vehicle traveling down the train tracks, and there are 5 people that are tied up on the train tracks, but there is a fat man at the top of the bridge with you that you can push down to prevent the vehicle from killing all 5 of the tied up people at the bottom, do you push the fat man to save the 5 people, or do you let the vehicle run over the five people while sparing the fat man at the top of the bridge?

This is a thought experiment on ethics, on if sacrificing a person for a larger number of people is considered ethical by others.

I don't think I have the right to decide who does and does not have a right to live so I will preserve the fat man's life.

 

[RCNAL]

"Which one(s) is/are FBA?" - Some 6 zeroes.net members
"Which ones are Tariq fans" - Some 6 zeroes.net members?

 

[Sapphire]

I know it ain't always right but prioritizing healthy people over those who have little to nothing to contribute to society, well, I am going to go with the healthier people. Just like women and children come first. Women reproduce and children are young.