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

[sgkoneko.livejournal.com]

Okay first, it depends on what they are feeling, you mentioned guilt and other feelings, that may play into whether they say yes or no. Is there more of a chance with more people? No. There's a term in psychology for that. As more people show up, less people are going to help you/volunteer(example in psychology is stranded on a country road vs highway, no one stops on a highway)

Now the car one, I don't know if they would be more likely to volunteer, only a moron would and I wouldn't volunteer, because I'd be waiting for the moron. You have a 50% chance of getting the car, but also a 50% chance of NOT getting the car.

Someone would be more likely to volunteer however, because no one's life is at stake.

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Thanks for answering! :)