Hypothetical Scenario

[Quiddity]

Hypothetical Scenario:
You are the only passenger on a trolley when the brakes give out. The operator passes out. You know how to operate basic functions on a trolley. On the main track through a canyon ahead is a group of five men, who will not have time to get out of the way because of the steep walls on both sides of the track, and will be killed if hit by the trolley. However, you have a chance to save them. There is a switch between the men and the trolley. If you pull a lever, you will divert the trolley to a similar track, but there is one man on that track, who likewise cannot escape and will be killed if hit. You have only seconds to make your decision. If you do nothing, five men will die. If you get involved and pull the lever, only one person will die. Then Imagine the one person being a family member. Same conclusion?

 

[Pah]

Hypothetical Scenario:
You are the only passenger on a trolley when the brakes give out. The operator passes out. You know how to operate basic functions on a trolley. On the main track through a canyon ahead is a group of five men, who will not have time to get out of the way because of the steep walls on both sides of the track, and will be killed if hit by the trolley. However, you have a chance to save them. There is a switch between the men and the trolley. If you pull a lever, you will divert the trolley to a similar track, but there is one man on that track, who likewise cannot escape and will be killed if hit. You have only seconds to make your decision. If you do nothing, five men will die. If you get involved and pull the lever, only one person will die. Then Imagine the one person being a family member. Same conclusion?

You could always cut the power source.

 

[Quiddity]

You could always cut the power source.

Party pooper..
Just pretend that's not an option for whatever reason.

~Victor

 

[Mike182]

Hypothetical Scenario:
You are the only passenger on a trolley when the brakes give out. The operator passes out. You know how to operate basic functions on a trolley. On the main track through a canyon ahead is a group of five men, who will not have time to get out of the way because of the steep walls on both sides of the track, and will be killed if hit by the trolley. However, you have a chance to save them. There is a switch between the men and the trolley. If you pull a lever, you will divert the trolley to a similar track, but there is one man on that track, who likewise cannot escape and will be killed if hit. You have only seconds to make your decision. If you do nothing, five men will die. If you get involved and pull the lever, only one person will die. Then Imagine the one person being a family member. Same conclusion?

its almost the same as when i got captured in the jungle, along with 10 other men, and i got chosen and given a gun - they said i could kill any one of the other captured men, and if i didnt they would all be killed

(this didnt actually happen by the way)

but the answer is the same for me - avoid the darn situation :bonk:

 

[Quiddity]

Is anyone going to answer?

~Victor

 

[Katzpur]

Hypothetical Scenario:
You are the only passenger on a trolley when the brakes give out. The operator passes out. You know how to operate basic functions on a trolley. On the main track through a canyon ahead is a group of five men, who will not have time to get out of the way because of the steep walls on both sides of the track, and will be killed if hit by the trolley. However, you have a chance to save them. There is a switch between the men and the trolley. If you pull a lever, you will divert the trolley to a similar track, but there is one man on that track, who likewise cannot escape and will be killed if hit. You have only seconds to make your decision. If you do nothing, five men will die. If you get involved and pull the lever, only one person will die. Then Imagine the one person being a family member. Same conclusion?

I don't think anybody's answering because it's just too horrible a situation to be able to imagine really happening. I'm afraid I'd probably let five people die.

 

[Mike182]

Is anyone going to answer?

~Victor

hey victor, you never told us what you'd do :bonk:

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

apathy is death. I would like to think that i would save the five. It would be a hard decision though.

 

[Quiddity]

hey victor, you never told us what you'd do :bonk:

It depends on what family member it was...j/k
I would save the five as difficult of a situation.

~Victor

 

[Neo-Logic]

Hehe ...

What if there were no hypothetical situations. :biglaugh:

 

[bartdanr]

When I was younger, I saw a short Christian film with the same basic premise--a man had to make a split-second decision to divert a train off the tracks (probably killing many people) or let his little son die. He decided to let his little son die. The last scene of the movie showed the people on the train (who never knew how close to death they were), and they didn't even know the sacrifice that was made for them.

It had a strong emotional content, and heady stuff for a teenager at Church camp. The ananlogy to the story of Christ's sacrifice (though not perfect) was still unmistakable.

I guess harkening back to my "Greatest Sacrifice" thread, I would say that the greatest sacrifice I could possibly make was to have my son die that others might live. (And the greatest theoretical sacrifice I could make would be to have my son spend eternity in hell to save others.) But my son is too dear to my heart for my to consider such a thing.

Peace

 

[Fluffy]

Basically I am in 2 minds about this quite literally. Here are the options I am torn between with my reasoning

1) I am responsible for action, not for inaction and saving a life does not make up for a previous life taken. Therefore I should sit there because I believe killing is wrong.

2) Basic numbers. I would save the five people. If it was a family member I might save him/her but I should save the five people.

It is interesting to note that neither option changes if the singleton was a family member. I like to think that is because of a removal of what are essentially irrational emotions but I'm not sure if such an idea is right.

 

[michel]

Basically I am in 2 minds about this quite literally. Here are the options I am torn between with my reasoning

1) I am responsible for action, not for inaction and saving a life does not make up for a previous life taken. Therefore I should sit there because I believe killing is wrong.

2) Basic numbers. I would save the five people. If it was a family member I might save him/her but I should save the five people.

It is interesting to note that neither option changes if the singleton was a family member. I like to think that is because of a removal of what are essentially irrational emotions but I'm not sure if such an idea is right.

Logic I think says that you would definitely sacrifice the relative, to save the other 5; but would one be able to be logical in the event ? - I would like to think I could.......

 

[Ori]

Even though the people I look up to through history have been those always willing to sacrifice for the greater good, I would choose a member of my family to be saved over anyone else, no matter how many others, even the rest of the world.

 

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

If I could choose any family member, I would choose myself. Can I do that?

 

[constantine]

Even though the people I look up to through history have been those always willing to sacrifice for the greater good, I would choose a member of my family to be saved over anyone else, no matter how many others, even the rest of the world.

me too...frubals to you