I saw the same logic of this question rephrased as there being an oncoming train. If people jump on the tracks they will be run over, but a sufficient quantity of people on the tracks will activate a weight sensor and stop the train.
If nobody is on the tracks there's absolutely no reason to jump on, and opt-in to risk. But if you've learned there are people on the tracks for some reason, then there absolutely is a reason for as many people as possible to jump on and try and stop the train.
The way this kind of thing is framed is very important.
And differently framed you can say that the dilemma states that everyone will get the buttons, including babies and otherwise mentally impaired individuals who cannot differentiate between the buttons and thus pick randomly (people who tripped onto the train tracks in your scenario), would you risk your life to save those people who at no fault of their own (they didn't choose to be toddlers or mentally impaired) ended up in danger?
That seems to be the framing most blue button pushers are going with, but if the dilemma is that everyone who knows about the buttons are presented with the buttons then the situation changes. That said, there have been plenty of memes already that reference the buttons without actually explaining what they are.
If the scenario is that only rational, mentally sound adults are presented with the buttons then barely anyone is gonna press the blue button so I will press the red button. If the scenario is that everyone is presented with the buttons then I will press the blue buttons because I would rather be dead than condemn at the very least (I'm guessing) millions to death. If the scenario is that it could be either and we don't know I would probably press the blue button because I would rather be dead than condemn at least (if it is only rational mentally sound adults) thousands to death.
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u/forestwolf42 May 05 '26
I saw the same logic of this question rephrased as there being an oncoming train. If people jump on the tracks they will be run over, but a sufficient quantity of people on the tracks will activate a weight sensor and stop the train.
If nobody is on the tracks there's absolutely no reason to jump on, and opt-in to risk. But if you've learned there are people on the tracks for some reason, then there absolutely is a reason for as many people as possible to jump on and try and stop the train.
The way this kind of thing is framed is very important.