Philosophies of Good & Evil, Tuesday

[suitably_heroic]

“So I’d say sorry for the lack of class last week, but I think our contracts have some clauses about what we can get away with when we get hit by avalanches of shit rolling downhill and piling up into a massive, fifty-ton crapstacle, so I’m not going to,” Atton said. He looked a touch ragged around the edges, though at least this time around he was alert and otherwise in a good state of health.

“Today we’re going to try an exercise some old scientists like to call ‘the Prisoner’s Dilemma’, which is one of those moral dilemmas some of you hate that people are still arguing about to this date,” Atton said. “It basically comes down to the question of selfishness: good policy, bad policy?”

"What a charming image." Lana rolled her eyes, but didn't argue. Sometimes things were what they were. "The prisoner's dilemma is this: you and one other are given a choice. You can cooperate or betray each other. You'll both get the best outcome if you cooperate. But if you choose to cooperate and they don't, that's worst for you." This was a very Sith game.

“So we’re going to pair you all up,” Atton said merrily. “And we brought candy.”

He held up a bag of fancy chocolates.

“We’ll do this two at a time. If one of you buzzes, and the other doesn’t, then the buzzer gets six and the other gets none. If you both stay off the buzzer, each of you gets three. But if you both buzz, well, nobody gets anything.”

"This is the lowest-stakes version of this you're ever likely to encounter," Lana said dryly. Also probably the least interesting, because Fandom people were so inclined to helping. "And no using powers." She was absolutely looking at you, Anakin. "You have to choose to trust the other person - or not."

Atton made a dryly amused noise. “And then we can decide if we can glean any kind of moral lesson out of doing this on an island full of do-gooders.”

Comments

Sign In!

[suitably_heroic]

Even sign-ins are 'One', uneven are 'Two'.

Listen to the Lecture

[suitably_heroic]

How many major moral dilemmas are there, anyway?

Get in the Booth

[suitably_heroic]

There are two booths standing opposite each other, each with a button in it.

Ones, ping in.

Twos, pick a one.

Do you press the button or not?

Collect Your Winnings and Explain Your Choice

[suitably_heroic]

Or explain why you didn't get any chocolate.

Talk to the Teachers

[suitably_heroic]

They are here.

OOC

[suitably_heroic]

Hey, at least I have power again.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[suitably_heroic]

Though you'd probably have to put in work to get Atton's attention. He had an earbud in one air, nodding along quietly to the cello cover of some metal song he was listening to. Sometimes, he leaned over to write something down on a notepad.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[unusual_sith]

Lana was absolutely thinking they should have brought in some young Sith just to make this interesting.

Re: Sign In!

[sith_happened]

Anakin Skywalker, 1

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

Anakin wasn't widely known for his natural inclination towards cooperation, no.

Re: Sign In!

[stykera]

Stark, 2

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

"Don't cheat," Stark called out.

Was he thinking of hitting the button just to mess with Anakin? Maybe.

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

"Why does everyone think I'm going to cheat?" Anakin asked.

You know, other than the entirety of his existence.

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

"We've met you?" Stark suggested. "I can't think of any other reason."

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

"I don't cheat in classes!"

Mostly! As far as he rememered!

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

"Why should I believe you?" Stark asked.

It was a very valid question.

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

"No idea," Anakin said with a cheerful smile. "You've known me too long."

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

"Exactly. I can't trust you!"

Anakin was actually one of the people Stark trusted most. He just didn't trust him not to cheat at things.

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

"Well, you can probably trust me to want a reward."

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

"I can trust that you won't want me to have one, too," Stark pointed out.

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

"That may be true, but I also don't like making Atton right about anything."

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

Stark considered that for a moment before turning to go into the booth.

How would this turn out?

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

Anakin followed him in, grinning. "So."

Re: Get in the Booth

[stykera]

Stark was not going to push his button. He was half-convinced Anakin might still, just to throw him off.

Re: Get in the Booth

[sith_happened]

Anakin was staying off his button too! Because wasn't going to cheat!

...today.