Hypothetical Scenario

[bartdanr]

When I was younger, I saw a short Christian film with the same basic premise--a man had to make a split-second decision to divert a train off the tracks (probably killing many people) or let his little son die. He decided to let his little son die. The last scene of the movie showed the people on the train (who never knew how close to death they were), and they didn't even know the sacrifice that was made for them.

It had a strong emotional content, and heady stuff for a teenager at Church camp. The ananlogy to the story of Christ's sacrifice (though not perfect) was still unmistakable.

I guess harkening back to my "Greatest Sacrifice" thread, I would say that the greatest sacrifice I could possibly make was to have my son die that others might live. (And the greatest theoretical sacrifice I could make would be to have my son spend eternity in hell to save others.) But my son is too dear to my heart for my to consider such a thing.

Peace

[Fluffy]

Basically I am in 2 minds about this quite literally. Here are the options I am torn between with my reasoning

1) I am responsible for action, not for inaction and saving a life does not make up for a previous life taken. Therefore I should sit there because I believe killing is wrong.

2) Basic numbers. I would save the five people. If it was a family member I might save him/her but I should save the five people.

It is interesting to note that neither option changes if the singleton was a family member. I like to think that is because of a removal of what are essentially irrational emotions but I'm not sure if such an idea is right.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

Basically I am in 2 minds about this quite literally. Here are the options I am torn between with my reasoning

1) I am responsible for action, not for inaction and saving a life does not make up for a previous life taken. Therefore I should sit there because I believe killing is wrong.

2) Basic numbers. I would save the five people. If it was a family member I might save him/her but I should save the five people.

It is interesting to note that neither option changes if the singleton was a family member. I like to think that is because of a removal of what are essentially irrational emotions but I'm not sure if such an idea is right.

Logic I think says that you would definitely sacrifice the relative, to save the other 5; but would one be able to be logical in the event ? - I would like to think I could.......

[Ori]

Even though the people I look up to through history have been those always willing to sacrifice for the greater good, I would choose a member of my family to be saved over anyone else, no matter how many others, even the rest of the world.

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

If I could choose any family member, I would choose myself. Can I do that?

[constantine]

Originally Posted by orichalcum

Even though the people I look up to through history have been those always willing to sacrifice for the greater good, I would choose a member of my family to be saved over anyone else, no matter how many others, even the rest of the world.

me too...frubals to you