It's a thought experiment. I'll see if I can simplify it.
A group of five explorers sets off into an unknown cave. While exploring, the cave collapses, and they are completely unable to escape. They do have a radio, so while they are trapped, they learn that a rescue team has been established, but that the chances they will be rescued before they all starve to death is very, very slim.
They can either do nothing with an extremely high chance of death for at least one, if not all five, or they can eat one of their own and spare the other four lives.
They decide to do the latter, and toss die to determine who will be killed and eaten. The person who dies - let's call them H - is killed and eaten, and the other four are rescued several days after the incident. They are then immediately arrested when they are found to have committed cannibalism, and thus, face the death penalty for murder.
The experiment, therefore, proposes the following issue:
Are the four deserving of death for taking the life of H? Or does natural circumstance excuse them of their actions and allow them clemency?
[Akira takes time with his response, but once he slips it under the door, it is well thought out]
No. They don't deserve to die for taking H's life. They did what they had to do in order to survive; how can anyone blame them for that? And presumably, if they all rolled the dice, then H also agreed to those terms knowing full well that the could have been the one chosen to die.
But. . . that said, it's a complicated situation.
You didn't ask this, but let's say H left his family behind. Would they have the right to be upset about what had happened? Would they have the right to seek out justice for what happened?
I think the answer to that is "yes," too.
The world doesn't exist in a vacuum. Every action taken affects someone. And while those actions may seem "right" for the sake of survival, and while we can't blame anyone for taking actions to ensure their survival. . . we can still hold them responsible for understanding the gravity of what they've done. And I still think it's okay to strive to make decisions that DON'T hurt someone else, even if it lessens or lowers the chance of survival.
If we knew more details, then yes, it becomes more nuanced. But the experiment exists with that limited knowledge for a reason.
It's normally used to argue the different effects between personal law and natural law in regards to the normal regulations of a judicial system. But I think it's something that reminds me of our current situation, I suppose.
If we knew more details about Haruka, or about Nikki, or about what circumstances led one to kill the other, would that have made the decisions we made more difficult? I think so, yes. But with the limited information we had available, we had to sort out what was right with what we knew, and only what we knew.
Does Nikki deserve death for taking the like of Haruka? Or does natural circumstance excuse her of her actions and allow her mercy?
[again, his reply takes some time. mostly because he isn't sure he likes simplifying the issue to natural law versus personal law. in his experience. . . nothing is ever that simple. justice is a mult-faceted monster, and even if you do what you believe in-- fight for what you believe is right-- you still have to consider your actions from all angles]
[that's how he took responsibility as a phantom thief. that was how he kept himself from going too far while he and his team played with the hearts of the wicked]
I don't think the situation with Haruka-san and Nikki-san can be broken down to something that simple. There's just too much going on in all direcitons. But personally?
I believe Nikki-san deserved mercy.
[it's actually why he held his hand out to her once they figured out she was the culprit]
But considering the state she was in by the end of the trial, what counts as mercy? Keeping her alive but imprisoned as she slowly loses her mind, her sense of self? Or. . .
How you've answered my questions has been more than enough proof for me.
Yes.
Perhaps it's not the most logical answer, or the one that would make the most sense in the line of what we've talked about. But she's still a human, isn't she?
I don't know why she did what she did. I don't know if she was even herself anymore. But I still don't want her to die.
[and he means that. despite him questioning what "mercy" is. . . he means that with every inch of him]
Haruka-san's death was already bad enough.
[and while he had voted for Nikki knowing that he had no other choice. . . he wish that things had been different. that they had the option to save her, to cure her, to give her back her mind and stop her from killing again without having to execute her to accomplish this]
[. . . that doesn't surprise him. he doubts she was the only one, too. especially considering how Galo and Lio and Isaac were reacting. but there's no judgment in his next question]
I'm sorry to be talking to you like this. Slipping notes under a door when I know you're sitting right there. I just don't think it's wise for me to try and speak right now. I'll be okay. Give me some time to stabilize myself, okay? I just need to be alone for a little while.
Have a good evening and please, try to get some rest.
[with that. . . he waits a few minutes more to see if she replies. and if she doesn't, or only sends him another note saying good bye, he pushes himself to his feet and gently presses his hand against her door. he lingers for a few seconds, before pulling away and heading back to his room]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Any time, Luna.
no subject
But
Akira, have you ever heard of the case of the Speluncean Explorers?
no subject
I haven't. Can you tell me about it?
no subject
A group of five explorers sets off into an unknown cave. While exploring, the cave collapses, and they are completely unable to escape. They do have a radio, so while they are trapped, they learn that a rescue team has been established, but that the chances they will be rescued before they all starve to death is very, very slim.
They can either do nothing with an extremely high chance of death for at least one, if not all five, or they can eat one of their own and spare the other four lives.
They decide to do the latter, and toss die to determine who will be killed and eaten. The person who dies - let's call them H - is killed and eaten, and the other four are rescued several days after the incident. They are then immediately arrested when they are found to have committed cannibalism, and thus, face the death penalty for murder.
The experiment, therefore, proposes the following issue:
Are the four deserving of death for taking the life of H? Or does natural circumstance excuse them of their actions and allow them clemency?
no subject
[Akira takes time with his response, but once he slips it under the door, it is well thought out]
No. They don't deserve to die for taking H's life. They did what they had to do in order to survive; how can anyone blame them for that? And presumably, if they all rolled the dice, then H also agreed to those terms knowing full well that the could have been the one chosen to die.
But. . . that said, it's a complicated situation.
You didn't ask this, but let's say H left his family behind. Would they have the right to be upset about what had happened? Would they have the right to seek out justice for what happened?
I think the answer to that is "yes," too.
The world doesn't exist in a vacuum. Every action taken affects someone. And while those actions may seem "right" for the sake of survival, and while we can't blame anyone for taking actions to ensure their survival. . . we can still hold them responsible for understanding the gravity of what they've done. And I still think it's okay to strive to make decisions that DON'T hurt someone else, even if it lessens or lowers the chance of survival.
Does that make sense?
no subject
It's normally used to argue the different effects between personal law and natural law in regards to the normal regulations of a judicial system. But I think it's something that reminds me of our current situation, I suppose.
If we knew more details about Haruka, or about Nikki, or about what circumstances led one to kill the other, would that have made the decisions we made more difficult? I think so, yes. But with the limited information we had available, we had to sort out what was right with what we knew, and only what we knew.
Does Nikki deserve death for taking the like of Haruka? Or does natural circumstance excuse her of her actions and allow her mercy?
no subject
[that's how he took responsibility as a phantom thief. that was how he kept himself from going too far while he and his team played with the hearts of the wicked]
I don't think the situation with Haruka-san and Nikki-san can be broken down to something that simple. There's just too much going on in all direcitons. But personally?
I believe Nikki-san deserved mercy.
[it's actually why he held his hand out to her once they figured out she was the culprit]
But considering the state she was in by the end of the trial, what counts as mercy? Keeping her alive but imprisoned as she slowly loses her mind, her sense of self? Or. . .
[and there, the writing trails off]
no subject
You're really a very kind person, Akira.
I mean that.
no subject
I don't think of myself as kind. People like you are kind.
[. . .]
What about you? Do you also think that Nikki-san deserved mercy?
no subject
Yes.
Perhaps it's not the most logical answer, or the one that would make the most sense in the line of what we've talked about. But she's still a human, isn't she?
I don't know why she did what she did. I don't know if she was even herself anymore. But I still don't want her to die.
no subject
[and he means that. despite him questioning what "mercy" is. . . he means that with every inch of him]
Haruka-san's death was already bad enough.
[and while he had voted for Nikki knowing that he had no other choice. . . he wish that things had been different. that they had the option to save her, to cure her, to give her back her mind and stop her from killing again without having to execute her to accomplish this]
no subject
I don't think killing someone else will make anything better. Even if some sense of justice is served, it feels empty and useless.
Could I tell you something in confidence, Akira?
no subject
But it wasn't "just."
And you can. I promise I won't tell anyone else.
no subject
no subject
Who did you vote for?
no subject
It wasn't because they were guilty, though. Or that they deserved to die.
It was just the only option I could pick.
no subject
Some other people here might, though. So your secret is safe with me.
no subject
I'm sorry to be talking to you like this. Slipping notes under a door when I know you're sitting right there. I just don't think it's wise for me to try and speak right now. I'll be okay. Give me some time to stabilize myself, okay? I just need to be alone for a little while.
This was nice, though. Really, really nice.
no subject
I'll leave you alone, but come find me if you need anything. My door is always open.
no subject
Well, maybe not right this second in the literal sense. But I hope you get the idea.
Please stay safe.
no subject
Have a good evening and please, try to get some rest.
[with that. . . he waits a few minutes more to see if she replies. and if she doesn't, or only sends him another note saying good bye, he pushes himself to his feet and gently presses his hand against her door. he lingers for a few seconds, before pulling away and heading back to his room]