Hi there, this is my first post, and I'd like anyone's thoughts on a philosophical conundrum I've been asked by a colleague. The question is: "if I had to eat meat to save a million animal's lives, would you?". This one has me slightly stumped on how to reply! Any ideas? Thanks in advance
These kind of "philosophical" questions are typically bogus.
Presenting someone with a philosophical conundrum can sometimes lead to people better able to analyze and organize their thinking. Or it might be useful to demonstrate or reveal flaws or assumptions. Does this question appear to do either?
This particular question actually reminds me of a trap that is used to mess with people.
A good example is a very old joke. The joke actually has some historical context. Some people attribute it to Churchill. Some to Shaw.
anyway, it goes like this.
Man to woman: Would you sleep with me for one million dollars?
Woman: Sure.
Man: How about for ten dollars?
Woman: What do you think I am?
Man: We’ve already established what you are. All we’re doing is bargaining about price.
Its the same thing with the million animals. It's trying to display inconsistency in values or morals.
there is at least one easy way to get out of this trap.
My favorite is the one used by economists.
Now, imagine that you offered me one million dollars to be a garbageman for a year. I would take it. But if you offered me $30K for the same time, I wouldn’t. The fact that I would take a million to be a garbageman doesn’t mean I’m a garbageman. The fact that a woman would take a million dollars to be a prostitute doesn’t mean she’s a prostitute.
Philosophers actually have a name for this. I forget what it is but I bet later on today one of our resident philosophers will probably chime in.
Another thing about these kinds of questions is that most often they are used by "haters". I associate them with the "desert island" types of questions. They serve no practical value.
Now some philosophical conundrums do have practical value. As I mentioned to help analyze and organize your thinking. This kind of questions usually starts with a terrorist who knows the secret location or a trolley car driving on a track heading towards some people.
Now if you have a mean streak you can actually do a little studying and learn how to defend yourself against this kind of stuff. but for now, I suggest you don't play.