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This type of tragic and hypothetical choice can be reduced to more realistic versions, and more present in our real lives. At some point we may feel like everything is going badly, but if we give up something that is harmful to us, we can achieve a better result for others, even if we "lose out".

For example: when we have more people than seats on the bus, and we stop going to help someone else, regardless of the reason. We don't save the world, but we certainly make things better for someone!

Altruism

But what are our own limits to carrying out this type of noble attitude? To what extent can we harm ourselves (harm ourselves) in order to benefit another person, be it a stranger or a family member?

This answer is easy, but it is individual. So speak for yourself, dear and kind reader. And get ready for the next question...

Executioner

Let's take the focus off ourselves, let's not analyze it as a sacrifice. What if the situation involves harming a third party? When someone else's misfortune can bring us benefits?

Here's a classic hypothetical situation:

A train is racing down the tracks and is out of control. If it continues on its course and is not diverted, it will run over five people who have been tied to the tracks. You have the chance to divert it onto another track by simply pulling a lever. If you do so, however, the train will kill a man who happens to be standing on the other track.

What should you do?

Known as the Train Dilemma, it was first posed in 1967 by philosopher Phillipa Foot. There are several answers, and each of them ends in death. What the problem addresses is your moral choice. But it applies to our topic as well, because it amounts to measuring whether the sacrifice of one life is better than the death of five lives.

My choice is simple: let the train go on its way. The people tied up were put there for a reason.

The same applies to the other choices. I would not sacrifice anyone to save others. If fate has decided that it should be so, let life take its course. Interfering is taking sides and being responsible for the misfortunes that will happen based on your choice.

What do you think?

Aos meu sempre amigos da comunidade HiveLearners, minhas melhores saudações!
Algumas vezes nos deparamos com situações onde não temos saída. Não há um caminho que seja satisfatório. Todos saem perdendo. E quando só a derrota está em nosso futuro, começamos a pensar se existe algum meio de diminuir os danos.

Ainda que seja a custas de alguns, em benefício dos demais.

Vem comigo!

Existe um filme chamado Armageddon. A história é típica de filmes americanos, onde os patriotas americanos salvam o mundo. Ele retrata muito bem o propósito deste texto. Em um desfecho final, o protagonista decida se sacrificar para poder salvar a humanidade.

Não é um exagero meu, não!

O protagonista fica em uma situação de escolher entre morrer junto com os demais; ou morrer sozinho e dar uma chance para, literalmente, o resto da humanidade. Ele morre.