This question came up while I was talking with my friends and I think it's pretty interesting, so here is the scenario:

There are two guys/girls trapped in a room that is on fire. Both guys/girls like you but you only like one of them. You only have time to save one. Who do you save? The one you like or the one you don't like?

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 29 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Who would you save? (29 votes.)

Who would you save? (Choose 1)
* The one I like - 66% (19)
* The one I don't like - 0% (0)
* Don't know/ Other - 34% (10)

The Firefighter's Code: You save the one closest to the exit and then die trying to save the other one.

Er, okay, just imagine that they're both somehow *equally* close to the exit and they are of equal distance from you. And both equally in mortal danger.

I'm with Fel on this, irrespective of likes/dislikes whichever is closest to exit, if on the other hand we accept the hypothetical equidistant from me, then whichever is the heaviest first, you're going to have less energy on your return.

I would try to save both, but if it was a choice between dubya, and anyone else, I am sure you can guess who I would choose :D

Okay, this is not the 'perfect' question so this kind of thing most probably would never happen, but! Just pretend that, say they are identical, okay? It just happens to be that you like one more than the other. It's just a simple question and quite obviously does not hold up to close deconstruction or analysis, so don't read too deep into it please~~

C'mon, if I had really intended it to be foolproof I would've written a longer description.

If I disliked the one person enough then I would choose the one I liked but I would still do everything in my power to save them both. As for a straight up answer: the one that I liked.

The one I like - it would be silly to save the one I don't while there's someone I'd prefer to be alive there to save instead...

Given all other factors are the same, and you can only save one, I don't see why anyone would choose to save the person they didn't over the person they did.

Still interested to hear if anyone disagrees with me.

I'm going to stay with my original answer, the reason being, that I'd like to think in that sort of situation, I'd be above such petty concerns as to which I liked or not, becasue I'm going to have enough guilt to deal with supposing I survive it.

Good answer DS but Shadow Lurker set the rules....given all things equal....though it sounds crappy, I think Rotku is right.

Clarification: Rotku, your answer isn't crappy just the reality of the situation :grin:

I'd die trying to save both at the same time (people have TWO shoulders you know?) because I don't think I'd know if I didn't have enough time to save two people.

In all the panic and terror I would sirely don't hae time to think about who to save so I'll gess that I would just grab the person clososest to me and save/try to save her/him.

I noticed that save nobody wasn't an option. I'm curious how many people would run into a burning room.

@The Great Snook: Well, you could possibly be in there to begin with. Besides, some of us do silly things while acting the hero (myself included).

@Stardust: There is a link to a Spell-checker at the top of the page.

For my answer I'm the same as Abomination- I'd end up trying to save both and probably get myself killed. I'd have trouble living with myself if I didn't try to.

I've been in a similar situation -- there's always one person easier to get to. You save the first one you find and then go back. The smoke is so heavy in a fire you'll never recognize who your choices are and you'll only really find one at a time.

I really can't say if I'd be able to save anyone from a burning room let alone think in such a situation. If I'd be up to it I'd probably prefer saving the one I like.

@Rotku: It could be thought of as being a nobler deed if you'd save the one you dislike as it would be acting against your personal preferences. If there's no other factor that separates these two people the act of saving the one you don't like could be considered as self-sacrifice.

Could this self sacrifice ease your guilt about not being able to save both of them? It's possible that for some people it might. After all it would be a selfless act, of which we have a long tradition that emphasizes the importance of altruistic behaviour and perhaps justly so.

I think this is an awful question, since it so heavily suggests that one human life is worth more than another just because you happen to "like" (whatever that means) the former life more.

I would say whichever one I could best save, but in such a situation I would probably panic and flip out, so it's hard to say.

(For the record, I am also tired of people giving sure, confident answers to questions involving life or death. In situations of life or death, I imagine most people piss their pants, go crazy with adrenaline, and maybe go into a sense of self-preservation. Just my thoughts.)

The one I like. It's only natural you save the one you like first.

I think this is an awful question, since it so heavily suggests that one human life is worth more than another just because you happen to "like" (whatever that means) the former life more.The worth of life depends upon how valuable the life is to the person who is saving it. All other things being equal the life that is more valuable to you is the one you appreciate the most. It's not heartless, it's just the way things are.

Ah, if it does help ease ones guilt, then prehaps they might do it. Thank you Iku-Turso - I stand corrected :)

The worth of life depends upon how valuable the life is to the person who is saving it. All other things being equal the life that is more valuable to you is the one you appreciate the most. It's not heartless, it's just the way things are. I didn't really argue to the contrary -- I said that the question suggests -- implies, has the subtext of -- that it's perfectly okay to discard one person's life in favor of someone else's. I don't think the answer is necessarily heartless; it's the question that is.

Of course, it's rare situation in which all things will be equal, making this question, I think, in fact pretty moot.

The question isn't really heartless. It's just asking what you would do given the choice. It's not implying that human life is okay to discard, it's simply stating that there will be a concequence to the choice you make and that is that somebody will die.

Now one life saved is better than no lives saved and the question is stating that you have the chance to 'save' A life. Not to kill one of two people.

I don't think I could save anyone with such a panic but I voted for the one i like. If i dislike someone then it means probably he harmed me or someone else so i wouldn't worry too much if he dies.

Abomination -- I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, but I think the question is a fairly moot one, considering that A) you won't ever get into the exact conditions the OP has posited and B) it seems really blithe with the idea of a human life. In a real situation, I would probably be treating the whole thing with a lot more gravity and concern beyond "who likes me and who I like".

Neither.

Sure I may not like them, but I must do all in my power to save them anyway. I'd do everything in my power to save both, even if I died in the process...

Edit: In a life or death situation, there is no place for petty likes and dislikes...

I think the question is a fairly moot one, considering that A) you won't ever get into the exact conditions the OP has positedIt's a hypothetical question ;)
Not meant to pose a likely (or even possible) situation, but a situation based on a series of assumptions, designed to make you think.

But otherwise, I agree :)

As absurd as this may sound (seeing as I was the one who created this thread...-_-;; ) I personally would have a hard time deciding what to do. Perhaps because this situation was presented in a TV show and I was told by my friend what course of action was taken by the protagonist before I had had time to decide what I would have done. I think my instinct would be to save the person I liked, but with the consequence of a guilty conscience no matter who I chose to save, I don't think I'd be able to choose in time.

SPOLIER...! (Can't think of anything else to call this...basically what the guy in the TV show did...)
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In the TV show, the guy saved the girl he didn't like, then jumped into the fire to die with the girl he liked.
Interesting, ne?

Edit: But then it *is* TV afterall... :rolleyes:

Is it okay just to save my own ass? If the two people I can potentially save are in a burning house or something, that is? I´ll just run like hell and girls be damned!