Because deep thinking is good for the mind!

[kaaatie]

I have a hypothetical question related to a conversation that I've been having...

Let's presume that there's a group of prisoners (let's say 10 of them). An executioner puts them all in a position where each individual has a 50% chance of surviving (and a 50% chance of dying). There's no chance of escape, and no chance of rescue. However, if one of the prisoners volunteers to take the 50% chance of dying, then the other prisoners are all guaranteed to survive. The question is: do you think one of them would volunteer? Do you think the size of the group would influence the outcome?

Now, a different example.

A group of people are working in an office, and someone comes in and offers them all a chance to be given a new car (a corvette). Each individual has a 50% chance of getting a new car. However, if one person agrees to take the 50% chance at the car, then everyone else is guaranteed to get a new car. Do you think someone would volunteer? Do you think people would be more or less likely to volunteer in this example versus the other example?

I think this seems like the perfect opportunity for a poll:

[Poll #1194893]

Comments

[ghostgum]

I think, with the prisoners, it depends on how close they are (it is "every man for himself" or "mateship", that's the question). As for me, I have a horrid suspicion that I wouldn't want to volunteer but, if nobody else did, then I would feel obliged to step forwards. Because apparently I have a martyr complex. *rolls eyes*

I'd happily volunteer with the car because, well, cars don't bother me all that much either way! *g*

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can see myself doing that too. I certainly wouldn't want to, but I wouldn't want to see the other people die either. Though I might turn out to be a chicken if I was actually in that situation.