Originally Posted by TheSquealer

The truth is that very few people would push the button if they know the people they are killing and know others will see them do it. Kin incidentally would be far less likely (kin altruism)

The fact that its personal, that it's someone they know and the fact that others are looking, are each factors that on their own, engages ones moral reasoning as a primary decision maker, rather than rational reasoning. Those 3 factors combined would likely deter almost anyone from pushing the button, regardless of your opinion of them and their characters. It might only be likely to happen where sociopathy or psychopathy is present in one of the individuals where there is no moral reasoning and no negative emotion tied to the decision.

However, put each person behind a closed door,.. where they can't see the victim and where they know others will not know they pushed the button... and you're likely fucked. This scenario which is wholly impersonal, only engages the rational reasoning systems as the primary decision maker and moral reasoning does not play a role. As anyone knows, we can rationalize any decision. This is actually the true test of friendship.

Incidentally, if you think you are not worth 5,000,000.00 to your friends.. first and foremost, its not your friends that are the problem. You choose your friends.... and don't rule out the fact that you might just be an asshole.