Taurek, Numbers and Probabilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In his paper, "Should the Numbers Count?" John Taurek imagines that we are in a position such that we can either save a group of five people, or we can save one individual, David. We cannot save David and the five. This is because they each require a life-saving drug. However, David needs all of the drug if he is to survive, while the other five need only a fifth each.Typically, people have argued as if there was a choice to be made: either numbers matter, in which case we should save the greater number, or numbers don't matter, but rather there is moral value in giving each person an equal chance of survival, and therefore we should toss a coin. My claim is that we do not have to make a choice in this way. Rather, numbers do matter, but it doesn't follow that we should always save the greater number. And likewise, there is moral value in giving each person an equal chance of survival, but it doesn't follow that we should always toss a coin.In addition, I argue that a similar approach can be applied to situations in which we can save one person or another, but the chances of success are different.

Giving Each Person Her Due: Taurek Cases and Non-Comparative Justice

“…My aim is better characterized as identifying a certain kind of evidential consideration; a reason that is normally wrong making. This makes my position compatible with the "mixed" solutions, that take numbers sometimes to count in Taurek cases, of Sanders, Munoz-Dardé, Lawlor and Peterson (Sanders 1988;Munoz-Dardé2005;Lawlor 2006;Peterson 2010). I am not opposed to the idea that the moral permissibility of saving the one could be overridden by a disaster clause and that it would be wrong overall to save the one at the cost of a million innocent lives.…”

Saving People and Flipping Coins

“…A similar example also refutes a view proposed by Rob Lawlor (2006). Lawlor claims that whether we should toss a coin or simply save the greater number depends on the numbers involved.…”

In Defense of Batman

“…Thus we believe that our account is not merely an alternative explanation, but actually a better explanation of why Batman should not change his mind at 1:00. 8 6 For examples of a pluralist account, see Lang (2005) and Lawlor (2006). 7 Bradley is here pursuing a disagreement with Frances Kamm.…”