Comments on: Objectivism and the moral dilemma: Is the greater good always good?

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:16:26 +0000

Yes, I was trying to be careful to not imply that Koukl’s point was absurd (which I don’t believe it is), but that the concept could be unworkable.

I recall the M*A*S*H episode, and Koukl gives a vague reference to it in his commentary (refers to having seen this dilemma in a “movie”). Interesting to note how the secular producers of that episode show the impact of the objectivist actions on Hawkeye.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:01:31 +0000

I’ve often found that taking hypothetical situation to an absurd or extreme end, as you have done with 5 vs 6, tends to give a bit more clarity to thinking about the original thought experiment.

Interestingly, this very situation was presented in the series finale of M*A*S*H, where a mother did indeed kill her child to avoid the capture of an entire busload of people, sending Hawkeye into a severe mental state.

And yes, I have avoided answering the question. 🙂