Open thread, Sept. 1-7, 2014

polymathwannabe

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If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.

Notes for future OT posters:

1. Please add the 'open_thread' tag.

2. Check if there is an active Open Thread before posting a new one.

3. Open Threads should be posted in Discussion, and not Main.

4. Open Threads should start on Monday, and end on Sunday.

So if there were a button you could press that would make one of your close friends happier but would kill someone you haven't met, you would be totally ok pressing it?

I wouldn't, but that's more because of superrationality reasons (if I could sign a contract with everybody else in the world committing to never press such a button, I totally would sign it) than because I don't really care about my friend that much more than about the stranger.

1Metus12y

Oh so many variations to this experiment to test the intution behind my position. Your version? Depends on how much happier this friend gets. If it is the equivalent to having a cup of coffe I'd just get them that and live on knowing that I am not a murderer. If it is eternal bliss this friend gets, then I wouldn't do it either as I'd get jealous and had to live with that and the fact that I am a murderer. I'd be willing to press the button for personal gain though. Not for a cup of coffee, but a higher threshold. What I'd be willing though is to press a button that prevents a person from being born, as long as that is not one of my potential heirs or of my friends.