Today in LAW lecture, we touched on Ethical issues. Coincidentally, I was getting opinions from Siva on that Mine Cart, 5 lives vs 1 life philosophy question. So the lecturer asked:

If an elderly and a child were to be in need of help, assuming both are complete strangers, would die if not saved, and the chosen one would definitely be saved, which ONE would you choose to save?

Many would consider choose the child, on a common argument that the child has longer lifespan to do greater good to the society. This, itself, has already shows some stereotypes and prejudice people have towards the SILVER industry.

Furthermore, there is a hint of operant conditioning, not sure if I’d applied the correct concept, but anyway I think that media influences and social choices influenced a person’s rationale mind. Many media depicted the elders sacrificing for the young ones, saying “You got a better future” and such things, thus it would lead to people thinking that might be the model answer, and would normally stop questioning further.

Why wouldnt anyone try saving the elderly?

So I would argue that who determines which of the two parties would bring more benefits to society? Who can be so sure the child WILL have a better future?

At that instance, the worth of the elderly would be more, as the elderly would have more wisdom and experience to be able to benefit the society straightaway for sure. The elderly could right away be an inspiration to other elderly, or the younger generations, as a living testimony, as a living treasure, a teacher of life.

On the other hand, the child would have a long life to live in order to have a chance to bring greater benefit to society, which in the process would leech on Earth’s resources for inputs instead, and therefore there will be a possibility as well that the child might waste his/her life by turning astray or be raised into murderers and other possible predators that would harm the society instead.

Thus, the elderly would be more worthy, more rich in potential to bring greater good for society.

Some other questions that I would want to touch on in the future would be:

- If a thief were to steal from you for survival of his family, knowing stealing is bad, and that saving people is encouraged, would you allow him to steal from you?

My stand would be that I will let him steal, just like Zhu Ge Liang in the three kingdoms era, 七擒七纵, he captured the enemy 7 times, and let him go 7 times as well, as a result he surrendered willingly. So Likewise, if the item he is stealing do not affect you much, let him do that, and let him know that you let him steal, and lecture him bit by bit, this way, at least you know his target is you and wouldnt harm others which might affect the victims greatly, moreover can help him indirectly. Other than that, I think it's all up to the thief's destiny or fate.

- If the 2nd highest scorer goes around boasting and made everyone else sad, disapointed, discouraged, depressed... etc, knowing you shouldnt boast around and be humble, yet if that person goes on there would be more problems, would you still boast?

Nope, I think its no point, just cheer the others up, cuz if you boast around, again as 3 idiots states: When you friend do badly, you feel sad, when your friend do better, you feel worst, so rather be low profile.

- White lie: In order to not hurt or to prevent fatal consequences, would you do it?

Personally I do not think white lie is a crime at all, I think to a certain extent we got to adapt to different environment thus constantly change masks. Some things are better to be known, some could be tweaked to suit better. If it's for a greater good of another party, why not?

- Envy for improvement of friendly rivals, to be encouraged?

Yea why not if it's friendly rivals, I dont categorize that as envy, since there isnt any ill feeling at all unlike envy, which means to feel inferior that other are better in certain aspects and thus would harbour ill feelings towards the party. This is rare too.

- To "scare" the aggressor when being provoked, knowing violence isnt encouraged, nether to be used against another violence, so is it sinful?

Nope I dont think so either. But definitely I agree that it takes more strength to walk away then to counter back in any ways. =D So it would just determine how strong of a person you are. =D