4 ms·
Let's imagine this in the most extreme form in a thought experiment. An identical twin is stranded in the desert. You have the means (water, transport) to save
by em500 4y ago
Let's imagine this in the most extreme form in a thought experiment. An identical twin is stranded in the desert. You have the means (water, transport) to save one of them. Is it better to save one (which one?) or leave both to die? (I have not settled on a firm answer so far.)
- JoshTriplett 4y agoAny value system in which "save one person" is not obviously and objectively better than "save zero people", with no other tradeoffs or details present, seems objectively incorrect.
- notahacker 4y agotbf real world tradeoffs are usually more like "save one person with high degree of likelihood of success" vs "attempt to save two people with significant likelihood of failure"
- imtringued 4y agoIf there are 10^58 people in the second situation we call them longtermists.
- beambot 4y agoThe result from this study: Give one a glass of water, and the other may end up swimming in a natural oasis -- both live & have better lives.