To press or not to press...the button

This week in class, we had a symposium. During the symposium on Wednesday, the button scenario was brought up again. This time, we had to approach the situation in the way Kant or Mill would. Mill and the Utilitarian philosophy would say that no one in that situation should press the button. This decision is based on the Greatest Happiness Principle. By not pressing the button, you will cause the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. I believe that the decision not to press the button is the obvious choice. In the situation, I am thinking rationally, however, there is no guarantee that everyone else in the room and the next room is thinking rationally. Thus, you have to keep in mind that there may be at least one person in each room that is thinking irrationally and is for pushing the button and will do so if no one stops them. It seems like a no brainer to some not to press the button on the sure fact that everyone lives if no one presses the button. Dr. J brought up a good point noting the fact that historically speaking, in a serious life or death situation people do not tend the think rationally and logically. Because of this historical trend, I believe, once aware, more and more people will agree to press the button in both rooms. I say this because at first, I was on the side not to press the button, but after Dr. J brought the fact up, I, and others began to contemplate my decision. In this situation, I believe that the irrational thinking people could possibly convince the rational people to agree with them. I say this because there are so many “what ifs” in this scenario and when brought to the table will make everyone think about their decision. But then again while everyone is debating whether or not to push the button, someone will slip by unnoticed and press the button and it would be all over, or not, depending on if the person was in your room or not.