But I don’t know if I trust literally infinite people. It might be better to kill one. Because unless you believe all humans are 100% willing to never kill someone then you’re risking a number of deaths larger than 1. (Potentially much larger.)
It’s a thought experiment though, in the magical world where we could have all of humanity tied to rail road tracks by an omnipotent being, I don’t assume there to be a finite number of people.
Would they not simply be trapped tied to the tracks until a nonexistent remaining person makes a choice? Also you’re trusting that 32nd person not to kill just under 5 billion people.
As long as everyone doubles there will be no deaths.
Why do I get the feeling this kind of logic is used by modern day economists to justify inflation?
But I don’t know if I trust literally infinite people. It might be better to kill one. Because unless you believe all humans are 100% willing to never kill someone then you’re risking a number of deaths larger than 1. (Potentially much larger.)
No need to trust infinite people. You just need to get past 33 forks before you run out of people to operate the switch or to be tied to the tracks.
It’s a thought experiment though, in the magical world where we could have all of humanity tied to rail road tracks by an omnipotent being, I don’t assume there to be a finite number of people.
Would they not simply be trapped tied to the tracks until a nonexistent remaining person makes a choice? Also you’re trusting that 32nd person not to kill just under 5 billion people.
The last person does not get to choose, 5 billion people just die
When we are all strapped to the tracks, who will decide?