[Avodah] train switch conundrum

[Rich, Joel]

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On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 08:32:57AM -0400, Rich, Joel wrote:
: However, in Nefesh Hachayim he posits a mitzvah of hatzalat kol
: Yisrael. Perhaps (my idea-not seen in any authoritative source) there we
: might posit a difference of the "tzibbur" being more than the sum of its
: parts (and perhaps this is why "hilchot milchama" differ-although I always
: assumed that also came from the power of the king vs. "pure halacha")

So perhaps if deciding who to save had military outcome, then the poor poseiq who has do decide this question would tell you to listen to the generals.

In terms of the original question, the train switch, this concept would clearly indicate letting 5 die rather than actively kill one.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

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Agree- which is why I am trying to understand the CI's chiluk as the train switch being a maaseh hatzalah of the 5 rather than a rechitzah of the one (e.g. does intent have anything to do with it -what if the one was a sworn enemy?) Also The CI aiui differentiates from the sheva ben bichri case because here there is only one act involved, so what would he say in the case where I pay someone to throw the switch?

KT
Joel Rich
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