[quote]Your statement is a fallacy because you're brazenly implying that every aspect of "human nature" is automatically right. Obviously, that is absurd.[/quote] As is assuming the rational choice is automatically right. Obviously, that is absurd. [quote]I never said anything about it being a logical dilemma or an emotional one. I said it was an ethical dilemma, and therefore must be assessed rationally, not emotionally, to reach the correct decision.[/quote] And while you're busy rationalizing it to fit your prepubescent idea of morality, both have died. There is no ethically correct answer here - it's one life balanced against another life. I have an attachment to my pet, I have no attachment to the stranger, I'm going to save my pet. That's all there is to it. [quote]...Yes, because either something makes sense ( rational ), or it doesn't ( irrational ).[/quote] And it makes sense to save the one that has emotional attachment to you instead of the one that doesn't. Thus, it is rational to save the pet. [quote]You're placing irrational value in your interests and devaluing the interests of others (namely, the stranger and their loved ones who will almost certainly accumulate a greater amount of suffering from their death than you would solely from losing your dog.)[/quote] This means little to me. What matters is I can only save one, so I'll save the one I care about instead of the one that I don't. It's unfortunate that one has to die, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that. [quote]If you think choosing an overall greater amount of suffering instead of a smaller amount is a desirable human attribute, then I have little else to say.[/quote] Their family was never a part of the question. Let's stay in the realms of relevance, shall we?