Moral Conundrums
So we have a friend that’s all about these moral conundrums. Since I’m not really around today, I thought I’d leave you a few.
Question 1
A train carrying 5 people is out of control. You happen to be standing next to a button. If you push the button, the train will switch tracks, slow down and eventually stop. There’s a man working on that track, and if you push the button he’ll be killed, but the 5 people on the train would be saved. Would you push the button?
Question 2
A train carring 5 people is out of control. It’s nearing a platform you’re standing on. You suddenly think that if you were to jump in front of the train, you may slow it down enough to save the passengers, but you’d die. Upon further reflection, you realize that you’re too small and the train wouldn’t stop. BUT, you’re standing next to a really fat guy. He would totally stop the train. Do you push the fat guy, killing him but saving the 5 people on the train?
Question 3 - This one’s not so much a conundrum, but it does have some interesting statistics (with a relatively small sample size so ask lots of people and let me know what they say).
You’ve been conficted of a crime and sentenced to death (guilt or innocence doesn’t matter). You’ve been given a choice of 3 ways to die:
1. You could be shot in the stomach and bleed a slow painful death.
2. You could jump/be pushed off a very tall building.
3. You could drown.
What would you pick?
I’ll be anxious to see everyone’s answers. I’ll try to post some for info on the questions tomorrow (or early next week if I miss tomorrow).
May 19th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Eeegads! I don’t like having to actually think to such a degree this early in the morning! :-)
Their good!
Cole
May 19th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Um…#1–I’d switch the tracks and scream bloody murder for the idiot to get out of the way.
#2–no way could the fat man stop the train. Those people need to open the door and throw themselves off. If not, TSTL.
#3–While lethal injection would be my preferred method, of the three I’d take drowning.
May 19th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Hmmm… You’re making us think? I blog hop so I don’t have to do that! :-)
I’ll play devils advocate and say that with #1, there is no way I could know there was a guy on the other tracks. I never wear my glasses and I wouldn’t be able to see that far ahead.
On #2, I agree with Michelle. No way is a fat guy stopping a train and if he was fat enough he could, I wouldn’t be strong enough to push him to his death.
I guess I’d go with the free fall on #3. I was nearly drowned by another swimmer or non-swimmer rather, one summer and it was NOT pleasant. I do not want to go there again. And getting shot… I couldn’t stand still for that.
May 19th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
Hello. My first time to your blog and I get one with hard questions!Hehe.
1. I’d change tracks. Sorry to the guy on the track.
2. I wouldnt jump or push the fat guy.
3. Drowning is my worst fear! Getting shot is too painful. I’d have to say the jump. How scary!
Fun blog. I’m in a few writing groups on myspace with you. I’ll be stopping by your blog more often.
May 20th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Building. i’d rather die on impact. The slow wound to the stomach would be excruciating pain, so NO FREAKING thank you. And since I have asthma, I don’t want to drowned or die by not breathing.
So there you have it.
Although I prefer to stay alive for a little while longer if that’s okay.
May 23rd, 2006 at 9:53 am
Yes (it’s just mathematics), yes (provided either he gave his consent, or therre was no one around to report me to the police), and jump. Drowning sounds like a horrible way to die, I don’t fancy the slow and painful thing, but I’m terrified of heights, so if someone could just get me up there I’d take that option. I already see my fall and eventual death every time I go somewhere high.