Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do.

Re:Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do. by stonemetal on Thursday September 16, 2010 @01:51PM (#1698520)

But the utility functions are different. baby tree vs adult tree, old tree is better looking(provides more shade more useful right now) old crusty scientist guy vs baby, baby is cuter. If the shark eats the baby it will still be hungry(or get hungry again sooner) old crusty scientist guy is a much larger meal. Also an older scientist might be past his prime and have lower expected utility for the rest of his career while still expecting high pay.

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Re:Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do. by ewjordan on Thursday September 16, 2010 @02:36PM (#1698687)

* If the shark eats the baby it will still be hungry(or get hungry again sooner) old crusty scientist guy is a much larger meal.*

We'll assume for the purposes of this thought experiment that the shark just wants a nibble - he'll be satisfied for sure with either one.

Also an older scientist might be past his prime and have lower expected utility for the rest of his career while still expecting high pay.

Yes, I realized this after it was too late to edit (well, I still could edit, but people have already replied, so it wouldn't be fair) - I probably should have made the doctor younger.

But in any case, it brings up the question: how young is "young enough" to prefer throwing a baby overboard to throwing a highly promising child/teenager/adult? Is there a "young enough" age for you, or would you always toss the older person, no matter how likely they were to be exceptional for the rest of their life?

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Re:Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do. by tome on Thursday September 16, 2010 @03:18PM (#1698800)

We'll assume for the purposes of this thought experiment that the shark just wants a nibble - he'll be satisfied for sure with either one.

Meh. Then cut off your arm and give it to him. The problem with these philosophical experiments is controlling external variables. It just can't be done.

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Re:Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do. by Retric on Thursday September 16, 2010 @03:22PM (#1698820)

I think peoples gut reactions is somewhat based on “Number of lost potential decedents in 50-200 years based on primitive life expectancy.” At which point a 15 year old has greater value than both a 50 year old and a baby. This also explains why you get women and children then men then elderly.

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Re:Kill Whitey- It’s the right thing to do. by aristus on Thursday September 16, 2010 @03:48PM (#1698906)

The doctor is capable of choosing to sacrifice himself (cough as are you). The baby is not. I don't know whether that argument is outside of the utilitarian sandbox.

Does utilitarianism demand total knowledge? Can't you posit a baby exception wired into your brain (by evolution, $deity, whatever), obey it, and still be an orthodox utilitarian?

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