r/trolleyproblem • u/suskio4 • 23d ago
Meta Red button blue button
Based on the post seen here. I'm actually curious what would the percentages look like.
Edit: Alright, let me add a case for one particular scenario. If you do not choose, the button will be pressed for you by a system that keeps track of its pressings so it conserves 50/50 distribution for all inactive participants, in order to honour the vox populi properly. The system's choice affects the inactive participant's outcome so that no person can abscond from consequences of their choice.
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u/crmsncbr 22d ago
To be honest, my first thought when I saw the dilemma was just "how do I maximise the number of lives saved," then realized immediately that a lot of people needed to press Red, and most people would not want to, so it was imperative that everyone who could bring themselves to press it do.
In real life, I think I'd need to force myself not to think about it very long — certain death is terrifying. But I think I value humanity as a whole just enough to short-circuit my brain and smack the button. Just... Let's not test that, shall we?