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comment by ike
ike  ·  4170 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: First Weekly Hubski Thought Experiment - Kill and Let Die

I don't agree that it is worse to kill people than to let them die. I think a utilitarian approach is appropriate here. Pull the lever.





glitchinthematrix  ·  4170 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I agree with this. Only seconds isn't anywhere near enough to contemplate the complex emotional and moral implications of this. Rationally, to let die in this circumstance will outweigh killing.

rezzeJ  ·  4170 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Fair and to the point.

    I don't agree that it is worse to kill people than to let them die.

Would you say, out of the context of this situation, that there is any moral difference between the two?

ike  ·  4170 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Hmm... Yes. There is a difference. Maybe I need to clarify my original statement.

In this situation, I stand by my words. A life taken from inaction is no better than one taken from action in this situation, because either way, my action was one with benevolent intent.

If one is acting with malevolent intent, things change. In that situation, I'd say that it makes you a worse person to kill than to let die. However, the net good (or bad) created from your actions still remains the same in either way, even in this context.