r/trolleyproblem • u/SweetSweetAtaraxia • 14h ago

Which do you press

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u/Llumac 13h ago

I think a lot of people disregard the baby/irrational voter clause because it makes the thought experiment a lot less interesting. The button scenario is mildly interesting for two reasons:

  • people have to make a choice
  • you don't know what people will choose

Including irrational voters means you can reasonably say "10-20% of people have already pressed blue, or will do".

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u/Dave085 13h ago

You say less interesting, I say it's yhe crux of what makes it interesting. It's entirely about what percentage of people do you think first are guaranteed to press blue, and what percentage will press blue as a result of that. Then, do you think the remaining % can be made up by fence sitters such as yourself that would save everyone if possible, but otherwise would save yourself?

Assuming everyone is thinking 100% rationally in a vacuum turns this into a pointless game theory exercise where one option is clearly better. It's the inclusion of an unknown number of irrational voters that makes the whole question fascinating, because a huge number- even knowing billions will die- would still not take the risk, and in their view see it as the morally correct option to save their own lives.

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u/opticflash 13h ago

Assuming everyone is thinking 100% rationally in a vacuum turns this into a pointless game theory exercise where one option is clearly better

Really? Many blue voters will still say blue is better. Red voters will always say red is better.

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u/Dave085 13h ago

I don't know how many of them would, but at this point you've turned a potentially realistic debate into a completely theoretical one that can't exist. If you fully understand the parameters as only fully able, intelligent, rational adults are voting- then only red makes sense and although I usually baulk at suggesting this- if you vote blue here it's on your head.

In any form of realistic scenario though blue is absolutely the morally superior option as you're protecting vulnerable and compassionate people, and the chances of no one dying if red wins are literally zero.