Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Would you kill the violinist?

I'm back from DC, but plenty busy. I'll try to get on and blog later, but I don't think that is going to happen. For know chew on this thought experiment from the BBC.

One day, you wake up in hospital. In the nearby bed lies a world famous violinist who is connected to you with various tubes and machines.

To your horror, you discover that you have been kidnapped by the Music Appreciation Society. Aware of the maestro's impending death, they hooked you up to the violinist.

If you stay in the hospital bed, connected to the violinist, he will be totally cured in nine months. You are unlikely to suffer harm. No one else can save him. Do you have an obligation to stay connected?


Well, do 'ya?

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