Questions of Ethics

Corkey · 07-02-2011, 03:30 PM

I'd flip the switch, even if I were the one. All things being equal and putting the train back on it's normal course.

Gemme · 07-02-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootebaby

what if the one person was YOU! would those that said they'd flip the switch STILL flip it? how about those who didnt answer--would you sacrifice yourself to save 5 others--without ANY knowledge about those 5?

For me, it doesn't change anything. I don't view death as most and I'm not afraid to die. I don't relish pain, but if we're talking the impact of a train, I think it would be over very quickly for me.

And, yes, I would save 5 others even if it meant my own demise.

tonaderspeisung · 07-02-2011, 06:51 PM

all things being equal, i don't think there is enough information to make an ethical argument for or against.
that said i'm a staunch believer in personal accountability. if a bunch of people want to hang around the train tracks, with out regard for personal safety or the dilemma they have put a bystander in, they have made their own decision and are solely accountable.

tapu · 07-02-2011, 07:35 PM

I came back in here because when I was doing other things just now, I kept picturing these fleeting scenarios of two diverging train tracks, and on one set were 5 oldsters tottering around, and on the other was this little toddler beseeching me with arms up. I'd have to say I'm pretty sure that, in the depths of my unconscious, the toddler was starting to pull ahead of the pack.

dreadgeek · 07-04-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonaderspeisung

all things being equal, i don't think there is enough information to make an ethical argument for or against.
that said i'm a staunch believer in personal accountability. if a bunch of people want to hang around the train tracks, with out regard for personal safety or the dilemma they have put a bystander in, they have made their own decision and are solely accountable.

Does that apply even if they are working on the track? They should have, perhaps, foreseen the possibility that trains can go out of control and found a different field if they didn't want to be crushed by a train?

Cheers
Aj

tonaderspeisung · 07-04-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadgeek

Does that apply even if they are working on the track? They should have, perhaps, foreseen the possibility that trains can go out of control and found a different field if they didn't want to be crushed by a train?

Cheers
Aj

I don't think a right action can be determined even with the railroad worker variable entered into the equation.

the bystander still has the knowledge that death will occur regardless of action or inaction on their part.

a numbers argument can be made for or against but i don't think shear numbers alone can dictate a good or right outcome.

i would still put accountability with the people on the tracks. i would assume as employees they had safety training and would be aware of the dangers surrounding them.

i don't think knowledge that a train can lose control and cause tragedy is cause for abandoning a certain line of work but if they didn't want to be crushed i would expect them to take every precaution for personal safety needed to avoid it.

07-02-2011, 03:30 PM	#1
Corkey Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Human Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Very Married Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Where I want to be Posts: 8,155 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47,491 Thanked 29,268 Times in 6,637 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I'd flip the switch, even if I were the one. All things being equal and putting the train back on it's normal course. __________________ "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee)

07-02-2011, 07:35 PM	#4
tapu Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Understated butch. Preferred Pronoun?: I Relationship Status: Party of One Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 1,654 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 3,114 Times in 1,103 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I came back in here because when I was doing other things just now, I kept picturing these fleeting scenarios of two diverging train tracks, and on one set were 5 oldsters tottering around, and on the other was this little toddler beseeching me with arms up. I'd have to say I'm pretty sure that, in the depths of my unconscious, the toddler was starting to pull ahead of the pack. __________________ Really? That's not funny to you?

07-02-2011, 06:51 PM	#3
tonaderspeisung Member How Do You Identify?: asleep at the synthesizer Preferred Pronoun?: crown prince of dirty disco Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: the dollar bin Posts: 1,392 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,082 Thanked 1,752 Times in 849 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	all things being equal, i don't think there is enough information to make an ethical argument for or against. that said i'm a staunch believer in personal accountability. if a bunch of people want to hang around the train tracks, with out regard for personal safety or the dilemma they have put a bystander in, they have made their own decision and are solely accountable.