Interesting philosophical question :)

[TheQwertiest]

(01-20-2013 09:09 PM)Kamikaze28 Wrote:  A sociopath would pull the lever without hesitation. "Normal" people would hesitate and let the four men die and probably suffer from guilt.

I find the following an even more interesting philosophical dilemma:
Imagine a married couple. The woman is terminally ill but the one medicine that could cure her is very expensive. The man now asks all his friends and family to lend him money and he mobilizes his last reserves, but they can only come up with half of the money. The man now asks the chairman of the respective medical company to give him time to come up with the other half of the money while his wife is cured. The chairman refuses and insists on getting the full price up front.
The man now breaks into the medical company and steals one dose of the medicine to cure his wife and save her life.
Question: Should the man be punished for his theft? And why?

theres no correct answer. your answer would depend on what stage you are in moral development. if i remember correctly thats kohlbergs example.