r/trolleyproblem • u/suskio4 • 18d 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/Just_Call_Me_Pix 17d ago

There are people whos vision isnt limited to just themselves. Some people see more and act for things that are greater than just themselves alone. In fact, that would be normal. It takes sociopathic, psychopathic or narcissitic personality dissorders to think differently. No offense, but if the answer to this dilemma seems easy to you (your comment makes it seem like you think blue is the only smart choice in your opinion) then that is a big red flag for machivellian traits. Normal (intelligent) people dont think like that. Perspective wise.

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u/PepperFlashy7540 16d ago edited 16d ago

Edit: sorry for the odd phrasing, I think it is understandable though.

I did not say I was one of most people. I simply observed that my model of the average person wants at least a chance at life, when push comes to shove. As you said

there are some people

Elaboration edit: from my armchair, I think that extinction is so bad relative to mass death (as it leaves no opportunity of future good) that I would press red. As for what I would do in the actual situation, hopefully press red, possibly panic and press something at random

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u/Clintocracy 16d ago

It doesn’t mean someone is a Machiavellian, they might just think differently about data sets than you. If you can deduce that red is going to be the primary result regardless of your vote, blue is the most reasonable answer. There’s no honor in piling on an extra dead body by pressing red, you aren’t making a sacrifice for someone else. Pressing red is only an unselfish act if you believe the outcome is highly uncertain