Whom I'd Save

There are two trains, on two separate tracks, barreling down upon people tied to the rails. It is up to me to save them. I cannot stop the trains. I can only untie the intended victims. I can only save one track, however, because the trains will arrive to them at the same time. One track has three strangers tied down. The other, has a friend of mine. Whom do I save?

I save my friend. But not with any ill will to the three strangers.

When faced with this decision, I ultimately have to make a subjective decision based on an objective measuring: who is most worth saving? Who is, essentially, more valuable? In my opinion, and as a matter of fact, since it's my decision to make, I choose my friend.

The fact is that I don't know the value in the three strangers. I don't know anything about them. I don't know their talents, I don't know their virtues, and I don't know what they contribute to my life. I simply don't know. So, they are virtually valueless to me.

My friend, however, is my friend because I value him. I know enough of his talents, virtues, and certainly what they contribute to my life. I wouldn't choose them as a friend if I didn't. Friends become friends because they are a positive addition to our lives, and we choose to keep them around us for the sake of our own interests.

I choose to save my friend, as opposed to three strangers, because he is ultimately the most valuable person, and the most worthy of saving.

Whom would you choose?