#teamrationalandwontpushthedangbutton!!!

The was a lot of discussion on Wednesday, mostly on my part, on whether or not to push the button. Oh that cursed circle of death, how it vexed us so. On that day, I was on the side of Kant, and according to my categorical imperative mind, it is not logic to push the button and even morally wrong to do so. Even by the standards of the follows of Mill, the other side of the classroom, the greatest amount of happiness would be for no one to press the button and everyone live. So what is the problem? Fear is the problem. Our own selfishness will drive us to not think logically about the situations we are in. I truly do understand the argument of preemptive strike and it does have its merits, but I'm not sure if it is enough to make a decision to kill a whole other set of people to completely guarantee your life is spared. There is not true threat. it is only perceived that there is because of the powers of the button. But the true power lies in our rational minds to come up with the most logical conclusion. Does it not make sense for everyone to survive? If it is the case that everyone knows the rules, then if know one presses it, what has truly changed abut the situation? Indeed, it would be naive to think that no one would try to push it due to irrational fear, but we have the whole class to hold the stupid...I mean quite silly person, down. In conclusion, Kant would agree that killing the others is wrong because we are using them as a means in this situation, and Mill will argue the greatest amount of happiness is will be for everyone to survive. I personally don't think the stakes are high enough in this situation due to the safety that it guarantees. I believe the more serious question is the following: What would we do if both rooms of people die if no one pushes the button. I propose we ask this question in class and see what the results will be. Until then, "read more, write more, think more, BE MORE!" -Dr. J