Imagine you have a big red button in your house

Dex1981 · 2024-05-23T10:48:39-04:00

Philosophy - Imagine you have a big red button in your house And every time you press this button, it... (23 replies).

Poll - Total Votes: 13

I would never press this button

I don't know how I'd react to living with that button for years, but I wouldn't press it at first

I would only press it in an emergency or very dire situation. I'd feel very guilty.

I would press it occasionally when things are difficult. I'd feel a little guilty

I'd quit my job and live off the button, but I'd try not to be excessive about it.

I'd hit that button like a speedbag until I was a multimilionaire and not feel bad at all

Other?

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You can only vote on one answer.

And every time you press this button, it deposits $100 into your bank account. You may press it as often as you like, there are no consequences to you. The government is aware that you have this button and has declared it to be totally legal and tax exempt.

But every time you press it and get that $100, some random person somewhere in the world loses $100. It might be a rich person who won't even notice it's missing, or it might be a struggling person who really needs it to get by. It might be some poor person in a third world country and that $100 was their life savings. The button only takes money from people's personal assets. Never money from corporations or governments.

You can't get rid of the button either. It's always there, on the wall next to your front door. If you move, it moves with you.

Be real with yourself, be totally honest: How much would you press that button?

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Dex1981 · 41-45, M

So many people say they would never press the button. I admire the good intention, but I don't think these people are being honest with themselves.

You're gonna be tempted. And maybe you can resist temptation for a long time, years even. But one day that temptation, combined with an emergency need for money is gonna override your principles. All you have to do is press it, and then you can come up with a justification so easily in your head.

It's such easy thing to say, "I'm only going to support local businesses with ethical manufacturing practices and fair pay for their employees."

But then when things are tight, you find yourself in Walmart again.

Easy to say "I'm not going to buy things from this company that pollutes or eat at that restaurant with sexist hiring practices or buy these products that test on animals just to save a few bucks," when you don't need that few bucks. It's an entirely different thing when you do need that few bucks.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@Dex1981 I think you are wrong about your given scenario. Why would I want to compromise my principles for $100?

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@windinhishair

I think you are wrong about your given scenario. Why would I want to compromise my principles for $100?

Because you would have an unlimited supply of $100 packets. How many would you have in one hour, a month, or a year? Would you compromise your principles for a $trillion or would it take just a $million?