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How about one million kittens or one human?

HansardExpert 2y ago
Still the human. How about one million humans or one kitten? Where is the cut-off point for you>?
dartos 2y ago
Where did the kittens come from? If they were spawned into existence for this thought experiment, then the human, probably. But if even one of those kittens were mine, entire cities could be leveled before I let anyone hurt my kitten.
- some_random 2y ago
  This brings up an interesting point, our view of morality is heavily skewed. If you made me choose between something bad happening to my partner or 10 random people, I would save my partner every time and I expect every normal person in the world to choose the same.
  - dartos 2y ago
    Well humans aren’t perfectly rational. I wouldn’t think it moral to save my kitten over a random non-evil person, but I’d still do it.
    - Iulioh 2y ago
      It is a rational choice tho. It wouldn't just hurt your partner, it would hurt you. We know that following a "objective morality" the 10 people would be a better choice but it would hurt (indirectly) you.
      - dartos 2y ago
        You’re right. Maybe rational was the wrong word. Humans aren’t perfectly objective.
- hansvm 2y ago
  Also, where did the human come from? Are they already on their deathbed, prolonged in this thought experiment for only a few fleeting moments? Were they themselves a murderer?
  - dartos 2y ago
    None of that matters if my kitten is in danger!
- GJim 2y ago
  > entire cities could be leveled before I let anyone hurt my kitten Allowing that kitten to live will cause untold suffering for other small mammals. You have the power to stop that suffering!
saalweachter 2y ago
Collectively we kill and eat around a billion rabbits a year, around 8 million in the US. They aren't kittens, but they do have a similar level of fluffy cuteness. It's not quite "one million to one"; the meat from 1 million rabbits meets the caloric needs of around 2750 people for 1 year.
mihaic 2y ago
In that case I actually ask "Who's the human?", and in about 80% of the time I'd pick the human.
JumpCrisscross 2y ago
One cat versus many humans. My spending on my cat makes the answer clear.

Still the human. How about one million humans or one kitten? Where is the cut-off point for you>?

Where did the kittens come from? If they were spawned into existence for this thought experiment, then the human, probably. But if even one of those kittens were mine, entire cities could be leveled before I let anyone hurt my kitten.

some_random 2y ago
This brings up an interesting point, our view of morality is heavily skewed. If you made me choose between something bad happening to my partner or 10 random people, I would save my partner every time and I expect every normal person in the world to choose the same.
- dartos 2y ago
  Well humans aren’t perfectly rational. I wouldn’t think it moral to save my kitten over a random non-evil person, but I’d still do it.
  - Iulioh 2y ago
    It is a rational choice tho. It wouldn't just hurt your partner, it would hurt you. We know that following a "objective morality" the 10 people would be a better choice but it would hurt (indirectly) you.
    - dartos 2y ago
      You’re right. Maybe rational was the wrong word. Humans aren’t perfectly objective.
hansvm 2y ago
Also, where did the human come from? Are they already on their deathbed, prolonged in this thought experiment for only a few fleeting moments? Were they themselves a murderer?
- dartos 2y ago
  None of that matters if my kitten is in danger!
GJim 2y ago
> entire cities could be leveled before I let anyone hurt my kitten Allowing that kitten to live will cause untold suffering for other small mammals. You have the power to stop that suffering!

saalweachter 2y ago

Collectively we kill and eat around a billion rabbits a year, around 8 million in the US. They aren't kittens, but they do have a similar level of fluffy cuteness. It's not quite "one million to one"; the meat from 1 million rabbits meets the caloric needs of around 2750 people for 1 year.

mihaic 2y ago

In that case I actually ask "Who's the human?", and in about 80% of the time I'd pick the human.

JumpCrisscross 2y ago

One cat versus many humans. My spending on my cat makes the answer clear.