To blue or not to blue?

[Michael]

@tabemann

But what if you add the element that not everyone in the school knows about the shooter in the first place

Then you’re no longer dealing with the same problem. It matters that everyone is fully aware of the situation, the rules, and are given a choice.

These are two different ethical situations:

1. There are 100 people. 50 of them are asked to push either a red button or a blue button. Anyone who pushes the red button receives the vaccine. Anyone who pushes the blue button receives the vaccine only if 26+ push the blue button. Those who weren’t asked to push the button receive the vaccine only if 26+ push the blue button.
2. There are 100 people. All of them are asked to push either a red button or a blue button. Anyone who pushes the red button receives the vaccine. Anyone who pushes the blue button receives the vaccine only if 51+ push the blue button.

There’s a good reason to push the blue button in scenario 1 (to save those who aren’t asked to push a button), but everyone should push the red button in scenario 2.