[quote]No, [i]you[/i] assume rational = correct. You are wrong. Rationality conforms to one's beliefs. For instance, you're rationalizing your opinion as being 'correct' because the human might have people that would miss them.[/quote]You're confusing rationality (the degree to which something is rational) with rationalizing (the attempt to make sense of your choices and actions). Rationality = logic. Either something makes sense, [i]consistently[/i], or it doesn't. If you really want to keep arguing against this, you're going to need to provide specific examples of how logic is inferior to illogic. [quote]You say this as though it's somehow relevant. The question is, 'would you save your pet, or a complete stranger?' Their family was never a factor. You threw it in yourself so you could [i]rationalize[/i] your belief that the human was more worthy of saving.[/quote]Again your line of thinking is incomplete. If you save your dog, you are already admitting there are outside parties you are trying to protect -- namely, yourself. Notice how the question is not "Who would you feel better saving" or "Who do your instincts tell you to save"? It can be answered in two ways, either by what choice is in your self-interest or what choice is ethical. I'm discussing the latter, but you seem determined to change over to the former. [quote]If you were standing there, watching both drown, you wouldn't be thinking of that person's family, you'd be thinking of the beloved pet that's drowning right in front of you. The human mind does not stop to think about irrelevant details when [i]shit's happening [b]right now[/b][/i] and you need to deal with it.[/quote]No, [i]your[/i] mind doesn't stop to think about the details. If you read this thread you will see that many people opt to save the stranger, so stop making false assertions to try and strengthen your argument. And, again, that isn't the point. We aren't discussing what the [i]intuitive[/i] choice is, we're discussing the [i]ethical[/i] choice. Thought experiment, not Instinct experiment. Keep this in mind when you reply.