The other day I came up with a problem that I think is a very good question in that not only is there no solution, but any answer that someone comes up with is automatically wrong in everyone else's eyes.
Let's imagine that you were kidnapped by someone. They gave you a choice, between your life and the life of X random people. What is the value of X for which you would sacrifice your life? Now keep in mind that you don't know these people. They could be serial killers, saints, or civilians plucked from their life that is as normal as yours likely is.
It brings up a question that no one really likes to adress, one about your self-worth. I haven't heard a single response in my time asking this question that someone said that a single life was worth saving if it meant giving up their own. I've heard 20, I've heard 2, but no one seems to be in agreement over the correct answer.
I put my number at three. I don't know why, but if 3 people's lives were on the line and I was on the other end, I would like to think that I would sacrifice my self for the greater good.
But I acknowledge that I am a coward and I would have trouble giving my life up for fifty lives, as much as I hate admitting it.
There is an interesting conondrum that this question brings to light. If you are a king or noble with a high sense of self-entitlement, you may choose a high number, 300 or 400 because of the position you command and the power you wield. A saint in the flesh would likely choose 1 however, as any life is a life worth saving. But wouldn't you rather have the saint who is selfess?
Thanks for reading and considering
-J. Valett
No comments:
Post a Comment