Moral Question

[Diva]

A man delivers a package to your home. It contains a square wooden box topped by a red button. The man explains that if you push the button he will give you a million rand (which he shows to you) but that someone you do not know will die if you do.
What do you do?

Push the button and accept the money and the consequences (besides, people die every day, right, so how is it your problem).
Push the button but immediately regret it to the point of refusing the money, which you are not allowed to do.
Do not push the button but think constantly about all you could have done with the money.
Do not push the button because you cannot have some random person's death on your hands-money or not.

This is the premise of a short story and a movie I saw recently. What would you do?

Maybe one of the other Mods could post a poll?

[Doug_Dread]

I would insist I be allowed to choose who would die and then push the button and enjoy the money.

[Sylar]

Take half and choose who dies.

[Wizzard]

but that someone you do not know will die if you do
Illogical arguement. A non-sequitur.

150 000 people die every day, and, in most cases, their demise is not related to any other unknown person.

[Diva]

There's no choosing any options not on the list!

[Orange]

It's essentially a contract hit.

Which is murder.

[Rorschach]

Somebody made a movie about a normative ethics assignment?

[Cloudgazer]

Like the Chemical Brothers say: Push the button!

With the money I'll change my name to Chief Whosemoralsarelastix

[metoo]

Poll created, please vote

[Rietbok]

No way... don't want blood money.

[Sylar]

Too many people on the planet.... I could do a lot of good with 1 mil

[Cloudgazer]

I suppose it easier if it's a random person that you don't see.

Might be a different story if you actually have to witness the death.
I suppose the cause of death would also be a consideration.

[Rorschach]

but that someone you do not know will die if you do
Illogical arguement. A non-sequitur.

150 000 people die every day, and, in most cases, their demise is not related to any other unknown person.

This is the point really. The premise really is as simple as would you kill somebody for money. And I suppose what we learn is that if you move the consequences far enough away, most people start considering it. Well done, us.

[Sylvana]

I think I remember that movie. I wont spoil the conclusion.
For me, I could not willingly harm another person, or even animal. I am too soft. Even for a million. Although perhaps livestock, and only killing through said button.

Admitedly though, a mere million is kinda cheap. The stray dog that lives in our area's life is worth far more than a mere million. I admit, push the price um high enough, and I might do it. It would take a lot for me though. Even then I dont think I could really overcome the guilty feeling I would have.

[Diva]

And that was the thing about this question-are you willing to push aside your own greed and desires for someone else's well being? Could you (basically) snuff out someone's life without a thought of who they are, what they do, who they leave behind, etc.

Now put the shoe on the other foot-what if you are the one killed when the button is pushed?

I think that if faced with this scenario, most of us would probably fail.

[Cloudgazer]

And that was the thing about this question-are you willing to push aside your own greed and desires for someone else's well being? Could you (basically) snuff out someone's life without a thought of who they are, what they do, who they leave behind, etc.

Now put the shoe on the other foot-what if you are the one killed when the button is pushed?

I think that if faced with this scenario, most of us would probably fail.

Well considering how rotten humanity is... I wouldn't be surprised to find myself on the other side of the button.

but if it really is just pushing a button (and someone dies) how do you know?
If it really were that simple I think a great many people would do it.
If you had to see the consequences of that little action then maybe most would reconsider.

[Wizzard]

I think that if faced with this scenario, most of us would probably fail.

Lets reduce the 'argument' to the lowest common denominators.

There is a saying which reads: "Every man has his price".

Couple that with the lessor known saying: "It is pointless arguing with a hungry stomach; it has no ears", and it becomes obvious how the scenario will play out.

There is a huge difference between Greed and Need.

When one views the debate from a 'Needs' perspective, Morals (and a clear conscience) become an unaffordable luxury.

[Dr_Mullet]

Do I get money every time I push the button?

[Diva]

Lol Mullet! Trust you to ask that!

Wizard-let's say, for the sake of this question that you could do with the extra money, but you would not die without it.

I wish I could tell you more about the scenario as it played out in the movie, but I don't want to spoil it for you. If you ever come across the movie 'The Box', give it a watch.

[Melissa]

I'd like to say I wouldn't do it but lets face it, when push comes to shove I'd probably do it. But If this person was to die/be killed right in front of me I may feel a little different.