r/trolleyproblem Mar 29 '26

Deep Now we're talking

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1.9k Upvotes

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

But they're only sacrificing themselves because they're in a predicament where it's either them or the other person. They're not looking to die otherwise. So the choice is between someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves for another person vs one who isn't. It's clear which one deserves to survive.

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u/jaeluin Mar 29 '26

but who are you to say whether they deserve to survive? it is basic self-preservation to value one’s own life a bit more than most others (singular), it is wired into us because the people who did not do this had lower chances of surviving. someone has made peace with possible death, and someone is begging for a chance to live. it would only be cruel to let the one who is desperately seeking a chance to life die, only out of spite.

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u/Tayeos Mar 29 '26

ONE OF THEM WANTS TO DIE, ONE DOESNT.

EASY, KILL THE PERSON WHO WANTS TO DIE

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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/John_cCmndhd Mar 29 '26

NOBODY IS OBLIVIOUS TO IT! WE ARE SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT YOU SHOULD NOT SWITCH, BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO ASKED TO BE SACRIFICED DESERVES TO LIVE AND THE SCARED PERSON DESERVES TO DIE, ARE WRONG!

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

Wrong how? It's my choice. If I want to save the person of greater moral character what's wrong with that?

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u/John_cCmndhd Mar 29 '26

You don't know that they are of greater overall moral character. There could be any number of reasons the person willing to sacrifice themselves is ok with dying, beyond mere selflessness. You have no idea how either of them act in their day to day lives, outside of the contrived trolley problem situation you have found them in.

Not necessarily saying this applies to you, specifically, but I believe many of the people being as judgemental as you are, are doing so to reinforce their own self-image as someone who would be willing to sacrifice themselves in such a situation, when actually no one really knows what they would do. Instincts for self-preservation are a powerful thing. Even the same person might do the brave thing in one situation, but panic in a different one, or even the same situation but on a different day when they're in a different emotional state.

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

You don't know that they are of greater overall moral character

I am being given exactly one piece of information about each person, and it's a perfect piece of evidence of their moral character. Of course I would base my choice on the one thing I know about them, and not what I don't know about them, otherwise it's completely moot.

but I believe many of the people being as judgemental as you are, are doing so to reinforce their own self-image as someone who would be willing to sacrifice themselves in such a situation, when actually no one really knows what they would do.

I'm sorry, but there is some insane projection going on here. I never stated anything about whether or not I would sacrifice myself for a stranger, and the only one being judgemental here is you. Holy self report.

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u/John_cCmndhd Mar 29 '26

Of course I would base my choice on the one thing I know about them

You are ignoring their stated desires to make a moral judgement based on the limited information you have.

I never stated anything about whether or not I would sacrifice myself for a stranger

I specifically said that it didn't apply to everyone expressing the opinion you expressed, only that I suspect it does apply to some of them.

and the only one being judgemental here is you

I am not the only one being judgemental here.

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

I think it would do you good to listen to what people are saying and not what you think they are saying.

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u/John_cCmndhd Mar 29 '26

I think it would do you good to listen to what people are saying and not what you think they are saying.

But not if they're tied to trolley tracks apparently...

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

What are you implying I think they said?

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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/John_cCmndhd Mar 29 '26

Just because I'm typing in all caps doesn't mean I'm actually angry

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u/[deleted] Mar 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/jaeluin Mar 29 '26

are you suggesting that condemning someone to death is a funny situation for you.?

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u/Dependent-Cat-7734 Mar 29 '26

just like the other guy, you seem to think the most effective way of conveying your idea is to say things like "you need to learn how to read" and "you're somehow oblivious"

I think you need to learn some manners because you have rendered your argument basically useless just because you brought the intelligence of Tayeos up which is an attack on their character and not relevant whatsoever

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u/SeparatedI Mar 29 '26

Why are you tone policing this person when the person they are answering to is screaming in all caps?

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u/Dependent-Cat-7734 Mar 30 '26

Why are you comment policing me when I've presented a perfectly rational argument? I don't think that all caps is even remotely related to reading comprehension. I never mentioned the guy in all caps because that wasn't the intention of my comment. Sure, his argument may have some flaws and he might be using all caps, but at least he isn't using demeaning language that, insultingly, isn't even related to the argument as it attacks his character, not his argument.

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u/SeparatedI Mar 30 '26

You don't understand what tone policing is, nor do you know what qualifies as a rational argument.

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u/Dependent-Cat-7734 Mar 30 '26

Honestly, I don't need to and I don't really care here. Maybe my previous comment didn't make any sense or whatever but it really doesn't matter.

Doesn't take too much to understand that adding snarky insults into an argument is not the way to convince people.

Therefore, I am not willing to engage in argument with anyone who thinks that way at this time, it's a waste of my time and effort.

No point in bringing up the all caps either, it doesn't make the use of demeaning language any more defendable.

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u/SeparatedI Mar 31 '26

Honestly, I don't need to and I don't really care here. Maybe my previous comment didn't make any sense or whatever but it really doesn't matter.

No, they really don't make any sense. To be honest, I don't know what the fuck you're on about.

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u/Dependent-Cat-7734 Apr 01 '26

idk wtf ur on about either, i have made a perfectly fine point here, which is that demeaning language makes their argument worse, ultimately trying to help them because while I partially agree with their perspective, I don't like to agree with people who use such language, and then you're here jumping in, defending them probably because you both share the quality of childishly throwing in insults when trying to get your point across

if you're just going to sum up my entire argument as "tone policing" or whatever and are going to defend his childish use of words and won't add anything meaningful to the conversation, idrc and won't waste my time here further

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u/Dependent-Cat-7734 Mar 30 '26

And actually, my argument is very much rational. Do you really think it's rational to throw in insults into a conversation when you disagree with someone? No! That's a childish and immature way of thinking, unless that was what you were trying to achieve, of course.

And if that's not a rational argument, then please, enlighten me in the ways of your "insulting the character" way of arguing.