As a general, I'd have to say that the good of the many outweighs the good of the one.
However, it DOES depend on who the one is.
For example, I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice, say, Louis Pasteur to save 50 or 100 people knowing that he'd save millions later on.
Granted, if I had no knowledge of this future achievements, I may well be willing to do that.
That's why it's so dependent on context.
After all, while we may save Louis Pasteur, Albert Schweitzer may have been one of the 50 people killed. (I know the timelines don't add up :) It's only an example! )
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