I was asked a really interesting question on the way home from school today
more like a "what would you do in a situation like this" instead of a question
but I was curious to see your responses
also don't try to think creatively and avoid giving an answer
it's not some kind of trick question or riddle
so please comment below
Situation 1:
You are at the head of a train
there is a divide on the tracks coming up
the track you are currently set for has five people tied to the tracks and you are too close now to stop the train from hitting them
on the other branch of the track there is one person tied on the track
you have to the option to pull the lever and kill one person or leave it and kill five people
what would you do?
Situation 2:
You are on a bridge that goes over some train tracks
there is only one path this time
five people are tied down on the track
and the trains brakes won't be enough to stop it in time
there is an obese person standing on the bridge with you
if you were to push them over in front of the train
the train would be stopped enough to save the five people
what would you do?
What is the difference between the two situations?
I want to have a follow up post discussing what I think (and what Trevor said, the person who originally asked me this question)
but first I gotta let you think for yourself. So go ahead and comment
and soon I'll follow up on it.
But I really want to hear your thoughts
It would really depend on who the people were. If I didn't know them, I'd have to switch the tracks and save the five rather than the one. Some people I know are worth five people, though. That sounds cruel, but I'd give up a lot for the people I care about.
ReplyDeleteIn the other case, though, the fact that they're obese probably wouldn't make a difference -- I mean, it's a train -- so the same thing would be likely to happen if I jumped on the tracks (not saying I'm obese, because I'm not. I would probably toss myself underneath the train. I'm an altruist to way too many levels, and if there's a way out of it that involves some sacrifice from me, I will almost always take that out.