The Meaning of The Question

“If you can save the whole world but you have to kill one innocent girl to do it, will you kill her?”

I remember being asked that question when I was a kid. I didn’t remember who was it that asked me that question, nor do I remember what my answer was; all I know is that if someone asked me that question again; my answer will be “NO”.

However, the thing that I wanted to know more isn’t what is the correct answer or what would other people answer the question, what I wanted to know is something more basic, something more fundamental. What I wanted to know; is the meaning of the question itself.

My first thought on the meaning of the question is that, it asked people to weigh which is more important, the need of one person, or the need of a whole group. If one were to answer that they will kill the girl in order to save the whole world, it shows that they care more for the need of the whole group than the need of an individual.

However, if my first opinion is correct, then it still won’t make sense to me. My answer to the question is “I won’t kill the girl”, but it doesn’t align with my personality as I believe that I’ve always placed to need of the team first, before the need of one person. Does that mean my opinion on the meaning of the question is wrong, or I just don’t fully understand myself?

My second guess on the meaning of the question is that, to see whether the person would do the thing right, or do the right thing. However, I am not entirely sure of this because to me, the line between the two is like a single thread. Maybe if one were to answer that they won’t kill the girl, then they are doing the right thing, or maybe it’s the other way around, but like I’ve said, the line that separates the two is too thin and too blurry for me to see and determine which is which.

So, what do you think? What is the meaning behind this question that has been around for so long, and what would you do if you were to face such situation? All I can say is that I hope that I will never have to face such situation.

~ by zaid87 on June 8, 2009.