4 ms·
> In the train-track problem you reference, the utility of saving 10 people at the expense of 1 life is obvious and I would do so without hesitation (though not
by defen 12y ago
> In the train-track problem you reference, the utility of saving 10 people at the expense of 1 life is obvious and I would do so without hesitation (though not without regret)
Even if it were your own child?
- sp332 12y agoEven if the answer is no, how does that relate to anigbrowl's point? (or were you just curious?)
- defen 12y agoFrom a "purely utilitarian" perspective your relation to the people involved is not relevant. That's assuming the existence of some "universal" utility, not one specific to the person deciding.
- anigbrowl 12y agoThat's an entirely different problem, though, since I have a selfish interest in preserving my own lineage at the expense of others'. It's an interesting moral problem - just how many people's lives would I be willing to sacrifice to save a member of my own family? - but orthogonal to the point I was making.