These kind of hypotheticals are fun, but they depend too much on unrealistic factors and constraints.
For example, in this case, we're given the supernatural ability to predict the future of these 10 people, but the inability to predict that this scenario would happen (which would enable us to prevent it).
We're given the power to steer the train, but for some reason not to stop it.
Why would the 10 mass murderers and revolutionary inventors be tied down on the tracks in the first place? By whom were they tied down?
Why is one of my relatives wandering on the left fork of the track? Or are they also tied down?
And so on. I can rarely offer a full answer to these questions because they are often so full of loopholes or lacking detail.
If you like, you could always consider the situation to something like this:
The power to steer the train but not to stop it is relatively common given that a train does take a bit to stop.
If you don't like the supernatural part, let's just assume the five revolutionaries are a part of a medical team in the process of finding a cure for skin cancer. We can also assume that the five mass murderers have killed people before and are convicted criminals who have openly declared that they would kill again, if given the opportunity.
They can all be tied down by a fanatical genius who hates your guts.
Sure, the situation is unrealistic. But hey, the entire industry for fiction novels LIVES on unrealistic situations. Don't worry about giving a "full answer" this kind of stuff is just for fun.
Would you rather... [moral dilemma ver.]
← View full post
These kind of hypotheticals are fun, but they depend too much on unrealistic factors and constraints.
For example, in this case, we're given the supernatural ability to predict the future of these 10 people, but the inability to predict that this scenario would happen (which would enable us to prevent it).
We're given the power to steer the train, but for some reason not to stop it.
Why would the 10 mass murderers and revolutionary inventors be tied down on the tracks in the first place? By whom were they tied down?
Why is one of my relatives wandering on the left fork of the track? Or are they also tied down?
And so on. I can rarely offer a full answer to these questions because they are often so full of loopholes or lacking detail.
--
Anonymous Post Author
9 years ago
|
pl
Comment Hidden (
show
)
Report
0
0
If you like, you could always consider the situation to something like this:
The power to steer the train but not to stop it is relatively common given that a train does take a bit to stop.
If you don't like the supernatural part, let's just assume the five revolutionaries are a part of a medical team in the process of finding a cure for skin cancer. We can also assume that the five mass murderers have killed people before and are convicted criminals who have openly declared that they would kill again, if given the opportunity.
They can all be tied down by a fanatical genius who hates your guts.
Sure, the situation is unrealistic. But hey, the entire industry for fiction novels LIVES on unrealistic situations. Don't worry about giving a "full answer" this kind of stuff is just for fun.