Scott wrote:if I saw an innocent 3-year-old girl playing in the street about to be hit by a car, and for the sake of simplicity let's say I know that either I have to let her die or kill myself to save her, of course I would choose to save her. Who wouldn't?
I guess that it would depend on the circumstances. What makes the average 3 year old any more valuable than an older person, me for instance? I'd think that he he would be, argueably, less valuable. He is all needs, while I contribute much!
(By the way, the inclusion of the emotional term 'innocent' is an unnecessary appeal to emotion, a fallacy.)
But.. be that as it may, in response to the 'who wouldn't', again i say that it is 'situational'.
I would not sacrifice myself so indiscriminately. Nor, I guess, would most. (unless, of course, it is their child, but that was not the question)
As far as 'heroism' and 'cowardice' go, they are in the eye and the ego of the observer.
We have no choice but to act in accord with our nature.