Your plane crashes

[yguy]

in a foreign country run by a ruthless dictator. He places you in a room with 100 children, a loaded gun, and no one else. He ensures that you cannot shoot anyone who isn't in that room. Then he commands you to kill one of the children, otherwise he'll kill all of them.

Should you obey?

There is a right answer, and it's not suicide.

Don't forget to show your work.

 

[b&wpac4]

in a foreign country run by a ruthless dictator. He places you in a room with 100 children and a loaded gun. He ensures that you cannot shoot anyone who isn't in that room. Then he commands you to shoot one of the children, otherwise he'll kill all of them.

Should you obey?

There is a right answer, and it's not suicide.

Don't forget to show your work.

I have two questions:

Do I have reason suspect that he will carry through with his promise to kill all the children if I fail to kill one?

Do I have reason to suspect he will kill all the children even if I do kill one?

 

[The Nihilist]

Sounds to me like the dictator's in the room

 

[yguy]

Sounds to me like the dictator's in the room

No. Edited to clarify.

 

[b&wpac4]

Sounds to me like the dictator's in the room

Even if he isn't, you could just try to make a stand and see how many people you can take out before you are killed, but I'm trying to play with what I consider the be the "spirit of the game"

 

[Freodin]

Yes, I´ll play along. Ruthless dictators always should be obeyed, else bad things will happen.

 

[white dove]

Is the "correct" answer to shoot one of the children in the legs?


Wow, even typing that out gives me major creeps.

 

[b&wpac4]

Is the "correct" answer to shoot one of the children in the legs?


Wow, even typing that out gives me major creeps.

It does say you have to kill one.

 

[yguy]

Is the "correct" answer to shoot one of the children in the legs?

I just edited to rule that one out.

 

[b&wpac4]

I just edited to rule that one out.

Are both my previous questions to remain unanswered, because that would aid my decision in this situation.

If I believe that he would not carry out his threat, I would not kill any of them.

Likewise, if I'm fairly sure he will kill all of the regardless of what I would do, I would not kill any of them.

 

[The Nihilist]

You don't shoot a kid. The dictator may kill them all or he may not, and you're not responsible for that outcome. But if you shoot one and he lets them all go, you're a murderer and he's just a guy with a room.

 

[b&wpac4]

You don't shoot a kid. The dictator may kill them all or he may not, and you're not responsible for that outcome. But if you shoot one and he lets them all go, you're a murderer and he's just a guy with a room.

I still like my idea of using the door as a bottleneck and killing as many of them that have to come through it until I am killed.

 

[white dove]

I just edited to rule that one out.

Lol next time, think out the OP clearly enough so us knuckleheads can do our best to answer!

 

[white dove]

Just shoot the dictator. Problem solved.

 

[Freodin]

You don't shoot a kid. The dictator may kill them all or he may not, and you're not responsible for that outcome. But if you shoot one and he lets them all go, you're a murderer and he's just a guy with a room.

That is the only rational answer. You can only answer for your own actions, not what someone does or does not.

 

[b&wpac4]

That is the only rational answer. You can only answer for your own actions, not what someone does or does not.

My solution doesn't make me a murderer in my opinion. You are merely fighting for your own freedom against people who are holding you captive.

 

[yguy]

Just shoot the dictator. Problem solved.

You can only shoot someone in the room, and he isn't.

 

[Freodin]

My solution doesn't make me a murderer in my opinion. You are merely fighting for your own freedom against people who are holding you captive.

Well, whatever you think is justified. But that is not within the scope of the scenario.

Whom are you fighting against? There is no one in the room beyond the children and you. You cannot kill anyone outside of the room. It is not clear that anyone will enter the room to kill the children... it could be some automated mechanism.

So you have the choice between becoming a murderer, or waiting for someone else to possible become a mass-murderer. I prefer the potential over the actuality.

 

[Fin12]

Yes, I´ll play along. Ruthless dictators always should be obeyed, else bad things will happen.

I hope that was ironic.

I'd like to ask the O.P. can the dictator be trusted on keeping his word.

 

[b&wpac4]

Well, whatever you think is justified. But that is not within the scope of the scenario.

Whom are you fighting against? There is no one in the room beyond the children and you. You cannot kill anyone outside of the room. It is not clear that anyone will enter the room to kill the children... it could be some automated mechanism.

So you have the choice between becoming a murderer, or waiting for someone else to possible become a mass-murderer. I prefer the potential over the actuality.

Anybody who would put me in that kind of situation is worthy of being killed. I just wait for them to come into the room and never kill any of the children.