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A (horrible) Question of Ethics by Illiad2008-04-28 08:51:02
  *both* decisions are the same. by perlcat45 2008-04-28 09:13:12
When it's a 50/50 chance either way, ethically speaking, you're off the hook. Certainly with the "give both the same vaccine" you have a chance of having the optimal result, but that's like saying that a couple with 7 daughters' 8th child will be a son. It doesn't matter, because by your own definition, it is a 50/50 chance, outside your control. When it's down to such a choice, your best option is to recognize that the choice is out of your hands, make sure the parents understand why you're doing what you're doing, and flip a coin or take a stab at it -- either way, you were off the hook before you even made a decision.

You cannot take responsibility for the RNG. The RNG gives, the RNG takes (and usually with a gnome with a wand of death and an amulet of lifesaving).
[ Reply ]
    They're not the same by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 09:16:05
      Exactly. (n/t) by esbita2008-04-28 09:17:15
      I disagree. by Pic2008-04-28 09:29:09
        "Certainty that either..." by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 09:42:41
          "ethics isn't about numbers or probability." by perlcat452008-04-28 10:18:05
            What do you mean by by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:19:56
              You're in the game of probabilty by perlcat452008-04-28 10:28:13
                I don't follow by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:33:05
                  Thank $deity you aren't my doctor.(n/t) by perlcat452008-04-28 10:36:26
                    Whether a decision is right or wrong by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:41:31
                      I do believe Solomon answered that qn by perlcat452008-04-28 10:49:06
                        I believe that the question Solomon answered by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:56:24
                    That is a highly unfair question to ask parents. by subbywan2008-04-28 10:48:17
                      You don't ask them. by perlcat452008-04-28 10:53:22
                        How will explain the situation change it? by subbywan2008-04-28 10:55:48
                          Again, the situation is that: by perlcat452008-04-28 11:07:28
                            What, exactly, is the "RNG"? by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 11:22:38
                              Play nethack sometime by perlcat452008-04-28 11:33:37
                                What random number generator? by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 12:00:53
                                omnipotent is as omnipotent does by perlcat452008-04-28 12:03:43
                                True; by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 12:08:23
                        I still don't see how it was not in your hands (n/ (n/t) by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:57:11
                      Responses: by Nath32008-04-28 11:36:35
                        In real life, you're correct by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 11:42:20
                          I answered elsewhere in the thread: by Nath32008-04-28 13:43:14
                            I read that, by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 14:01:37
                        I disagree by subbywan2008-04-28 11:59:11
                          Matter of trust. by perlcat452008-04-28 13:08:59
                            Which is exactly why it's unfair to present the by subbywan2008-04-28 13:16:38
                              I doubt I'll convince you, but... by Nath32008-04-28 13:40:47
                                but this isn't that situation. by subbywan2008-04-28 13:51:01
                                But they do have different goals. by Nath32008-04-28 14:12:58
                                It's still just passing the buck. by subbywan2008-04-28 14:15:40
                                Is it passing the buck... by Nath32008-04-28 14:22:11
                                Yes, it is. by subbywan2008-04-28 14:53:58
                                I fear I'm repeating myself. by Nath32008-04-28 15:03:54
                                Why? by subbywan2008-04-28 15:06:06
                                But that *isn't* the only difference. by Nath32008-04-28 15:09:11
                                And who in their right mind by subbywan2008-04-28 15:25:34
                                That isn't the scenario described in the OP. by Nath32008-04-28 15:30:46
                                I guess we're going to have to disagree on that :) (n/t) by subbywan2008-04-28 15:39:41
                                I guess so. by Nath32008-04-28 15:52:27
              Saved at the cost of another life? by FST7772008-04-28 18:25:03
          ethics isn't about ... probability?!?! Yes, it is. by dire_lobo2008-04-28 10:22:06
      Certainty of what? by perlcat452008-04-28 09:31:43
        Whether a situation is unwinnable by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 09:37:43
          It's not more ethical by perlcat452008-04-28 10:11:36
            In other words, by MatthewDBA2008-04-28 10:24:37
            I agree with you; see my answer to the TLP by romandas2008-04-28 12:36:48
        *cough*kobiyashimaru*cough* (n/t) by Phoon2008-04-28 09:43:11

 

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