Why "Would You . . ." Questions are All BS

[Philo]

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I mean the "Would you run into a burning building to save a baby" type questions. I've asked my share of these. And they can be useful in examining your personal feelings on the pros and cons of various ethical/moral situations.

But anyone who says they definitely would do this or they certainly would do that under such and such circumstances is deluding themselves. You are not in that choice situation. You can say anything you like now in your swivel chair, but it has little bearing on what preferences or value scale you would actually demonstrate in the actual situation.

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The relevant data in these sorts of hypothetical cases (at least as they are usually employed in moral philosophy) is what the responder thinks they should do in those circumstances, and not whether or not they are correct about what they would in fact do.