“Is that the best title you can think of?” I questioned inuke.
“Yup, The trolley problem isn't clickbaity enough. So this should do it.” inuke replied.
“But that's kind of insensitive don't you think?” I asked inuke again.
“Well, given the context I think this is the apt title a more direct approach. Because at the heart of the problem, this is the real question isn't it?”
“I think you are overlooking the more important question of who? On one track we have 5 people and on the other side, we have 1 person. I think this is important and should be up for discussion.” I asked inuke to be a little more human.
“Ah!! It doesn't matter because, in the end, someone is going to be human sauce on the tracks. And you will have to live with it.” inuke stayed insensitive.
“Um excuse me!!! But I think you are overlooking a big factor.”
“No, I am not, I thought this through and it is a big shitty situation you don't ever want to be in, But If you were ever going to put yourself in that situation don't you dare touch the lever.” inuke replied.
“Please explain yourself, as to why I shouldn't save the 5 people,” I demanded an explanation.
“Because then you'd be a murderer. You knowingly pulled the lever and sentenced a person to death. It is no different from shooting someone to save 5 people. You are actively participating in this action. And you don't want that.”
“So you mean to say I should let 5 people instead of 1 as it would make me a murderer. But don't you think not acting is kind of murdering 5 people?”
“No, It's not you who put those guys on the track. Why would it make you a murderer? You’d be still innocent. The moment you touch the lever to save you'd be murdered” inuke replied to my query.
“Fine, but don't you think that those 5 people deserve a chance.”
“They do have a slim chance of being found by someone else who is willing to pull the lever and save them, be a hero in their eyes and be a murderer. But I am not going to let you pull the lever.” Inuke reply was kind of cold.
“So you are willing to let 5 innocent die just not to be called a murderer.” I asked.
“I don't think their innocence is up for discussion. Now let me ask you would you have pulled the lever knowing that these 5 people are convicts? And one of the other tracks is an innocent dude”
This one caught me off guard.
“No. I don't think I’d save them.” I answered.
“Now, Imagine finding out that innocent dude turned out to be a serial killer who was never apprehended and these convicts were due to release in a year or so for their good behaviour, one even was actively involved and helping some NGOs.” inuke fired another one.
“You are just messing up with me,” I replied.
“You are uncomfortable because you don't know anything for sure. These can be criminals, scientists, rapists, visionaries can be anyone. And if you are will you decide their fate based on their profile? You might as well book the flight to hell today. You do not want all of this on your conscious” inuke answered.
“So you are saying under no circumstances you are pulling that lever,” I asked if there was ever going to be a situation.
“I’d pull the level without a second delay if it's family on the track. No discussion” inuke replied.
“Ah!! So when it comes to you then you would act differently.” I asked.
“Of course, no doubt. For others, I’d not be touching that lever.” inuke assured me.
“So, Only family is getting that bumper offer,” I asked again.
“Yes, and under no other scenario. I am going to touch the lever. Because once you pull the lever. You change. That means you have decided to kill someone. And please don't call it an offer. Mr Sensitive?” inuke replied.
“Sorry, so you are ok with letting 5 people die,” I asked hoping to get a deeper explanation.
“Bro, there is a difference between letting someone die and killing someone. And if you are asking if I am going to be ok with that the answer is No. No normal person is going to be ok after all of this. You will have to deal with a lot. Either way, you have to live with all the mental torture and no escape.” Inuke replied.
“I am still not convinced,” I replied back to inuke.
“See it's simple, there are factors that are not known to you, Age, past, potential, future, and their lives. By the time you finish analysing, the train will have reached its destination.” Inuke tried explaining one more time but still couldn’t get me on board.
I am inuke,
And this is one of those grim topic that my mind always fiddle around.
This post is the response to the Thoughtful Thursday Prompt #30 by the ThoughtfulDailyPost community. Lovely community. I was suppose to spend some time there this week but couldn't get time. Lets hope the next week is going to be little less busy.
As always, big hug to IndiaUnited, BeAwesome and Thoughtfuldailypost community.
Special Announcement - Dead Post Society is an attempt at the posts that were unread and deserve a little more attention. Please check that out.
Image Source - Bitmoji App (My Avatar.)
Wes & Grindan