MuffDiver 0 #1 September 18, 2008 I'm helping my neice with a school application and one of the questions on her application was.... A plane has emergency landed on a deserted island with three survivors, the pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. There is only available water to barely keep only 2 of the passengers alive, but there may be enough time to get the plane fixed and flying again. Which of the 2 passengers should get the water and why? I'm looking for other peoples opinions, thanks. __________________________________________________ Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out alive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #2 September 18, 2008 The pilot and the mechanic get the water. If either of them die they all die. If they both live and fix the plane the two out of three would live. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #3 September 18, 2008 QuoteThe pilot and the mechanic get the water. If either of them die they all die. If they both live and fix the plane the two out of three would live. Which is why I predict this will end up in SC in a few posts.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #4 September 18, 2008 Quote The pilot and the mechanic get the water. If either of them die they all die. If they both live and fix the plane the two out of four would live. www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #5 September 18, 2008 QuoteThe pilot and the mechanic get the water. If either of them die they all die. If they both live and fix the plane the two out of three would live. Start making a shelter, the planes EPIRB will be activated, use some of the available equipment to make a makeshift water condenser, boil up sea water, go get some fish, and start fixing the plane.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 September 18, 2008 Understand, this isn't a question to test your math skills. Some jackass is trying to test your "morality."quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #7 September 18, 2008 QuoteUnderstand, this isn't a question to test your math skills. Some jackass is trying to test your "morality." or more likely your problem solving skills, the object is to try to survive not pick a person to die. But maybe that just the way i think..not always going for the negative optionYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeregrineFalcon 0 #8 September 18, 2008 What the hell kind of school asks that for a question? I'm guessing they're not looking for an exact answer. Explaining why is most important. They more than likely give a limit to the answer in words or pages and want a concise, well-explained answer. Her answer could be practical or moral or even emotional, but it must be consitent in its logic. Of course, I'm just guessing here. What's the school? Have you tried googling "entrance exam" and the name of the school? You might get an idea what they're looking for. For example, UC Berkeley gives examples of past prompts with good and bad answers for their Subject A essays. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #9 September 18, 2008 - without a pilot the plane doesn't fly - without a mechanic the plane doesn't fly - what good is the pregnant passenger? I'd say the pilot and pregnant passenger get the water. This will motivate the mechanic to fix the airplane and save all of their lives.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #10 September 18, 2008 QuoteWhat the hell kind of school asks that for a question? I'm guessing they're not looking for an exact answer. Explaining why is most important. They more than likely give a limit to the answer in words or pages and want a concise, well-explained answer. Her answer could be practical or moral or even emotional, but it must be consitent in its logic. Of course, I'm just guessing here. What's the school? Have you tried googling "entrance exam" and the name of the school? You might get an idea what they're looking for. For example, UC Berkeley gives examples of past prompts with good and bad answers for their Subject A essays. this one uses itYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeregrineFalcon 0 #11 September 18, 2008 Ah, ok. Is it postgraduate or undergrad? If it's postgrad, scientific departments don't look for emotional or moral answers. Go with practical. If it's undergrad, go with what I said before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #12 September 18, 2008 As said above, this is a morality questions ... but there is room to think outside the box. As Squeak noted... there are alternate ways to obtain fresh water. Condensation/Distillation, rain water, plants... It doesn't say that you have to KILL one of the passengers. Just that there is only existing water for two passengers. Think of ways to expand the supply. Other thoughts to consider that aren't included in that paragraph - are any of them sick/injured? We know the skills of the pilot and mechanic, are there any skills of the pregnant lady? I wouldn't answer that question with a playing god type attitude, but acknowledging that someone might die... and addressing unstated variables that would affect that outcome would be my focus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeregrineFalcon 0 #13 September 18, 2008 QuoteAs said above, this is a morality questions ... but there is room to think outside the box. As Squeak noted... there are alternate ways to obtain fresh water. Condensation/Distillation, rain water, plants... It doesn't say that you have to KILL one of the passengers. Just that there is only existing water for two passengers. Think of ways to expand the supply. Other thoughts to consider that aren't included in that paragraph - are any of them sick/injured? We know the skills of the pilot and mechanic, are there any skills of the pregnant lady? I wouldn't answer that question with a playing god type attitude, but acknowledging that someone might die... and addressing unstated variables that would affect that outcome would be my focus. Good post. Sometimes moral and practical applications intersect rather than conflict. They're not mutually exclusive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #14 September 18, 2008 I dunno. The question is pretty pecific. I think they want an answer and an explanation, not a bunch of stuff about alternatives. I agree with Spence. Pilot and mechanic. If you give water to the pilot and the pregnant woman, mechanic dies and everyone dies Mechanic and pregnant woman, pilot dies, everybody dies.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #15 September 18, 2008 Maybe the mechanic will only work for sex. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #16 September 18, 2008 You can also think of the "morality" and sexual prejudice in these terms; Either the pilot OR the mechanic is also the pregnant woman with the "3rd" survivor the unborn. Again, this ISN'T a test of math, but of "morality."quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #17 September 18, 2008 QuoteI dunno. The question is pretty pecific. I think they want an answer and an explanation, not a bunch of stuff about alternatives. I agree with Spence. Pilot and mechanic. If you give water to the pilot and the pregnant woman, mechanic dies and everyone dies Mechanic and pregnant woman, pilot dies, everybody dies. Having written a few of these... if it's an entrance essay, they are using this question to evaluate thinking, logic and reasoning. Just a simple "pilot and mechanic" isn't going to impress them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #18 September 18, 2008 Quote Quote I dunno. The question is pretty pecific. I think they want an answer and an explanation, not a bunch of stuff about alternatives. I agree with Spence. Pilot and mechanic. If you give water to the pilot and the pregnant woman, mechanic dies and everyone dies Mechanic and pregnant woman, pilot dies, everybody dies. Having written a few of these... if it's an entrance essay, they are using this question to evaluate thinking, logic and reasoning. Just a simple "pilot and mechanic" isn't going to impress them. I agree you're going to have to load it up with a bunch of BS that will impress them. My answer goes to all three...thinking, logic, and reasoning. Of course, if I'm wrong I can always say it was Spence's idea.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #19 September 18, 2008 QuoteYou can also think of the "morality" and sexual prejudice in these terms; Either the pilot OR the mechanic is also the pregnant woman with the "3rd" survivor the unborn. Again, this ISN'T a test of math, but of "morality."dont know about sexual prejudice both the mechanic and pilot could well be female also. I agree with KBordson, the pilot & mechanic is the soft option, and most likely taken by the people who choose to not think.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #20 September 18, 2008 QuoteQuoteYou can also think of the "morality" and sexual prejudice in these terms; Either the pilot OR the mechanic is also the pregnant woman with the "3rd" survivor the unborn. Again, this ISN'T a test of math, but of "morality."dont know about sexual prejudice both the mechanic and pilot could well be female also. I agree with KBordson, the pilot & mechanic is the soft option, and most likely taken by the people who choose to not think. You've missed the point. By assuming the pregnant woman is NOT either the pilot or mechanic, you're revealed a certain prejudice. Further, by assuming the unborn is NOT one of the survivors, that reveals another. The whole thing is a trap.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #21 September 18, 2008 QuoteQuoteQuote You've missed the point. By assuming the pregnant woman is NOT either the pilot or mechanic, you're revealed a certain prejudice. Further, by assuming the unborn is NOT one of the survivors, that reveals another. The whole thing is a trap. Brush up on your reading skills Quade Quotethe pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #22 September 18, 2008 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote You've missed the point. By assuming the pregnant woman is NOT either the pilot or mechanic, you're revealed a certain prejudice. Further, by assuming the unborn is NOT one of the survivors, that reveals another. The whole thing is a trap. Brush up on your reading skills Quade Quotethe pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. OK, so the pregnant woman is the mechanic then. My mistake. I mean, it clearly says "three survivors" right? Is the unborn alive or not? Again, I maintain the question, as presented in the original post, is a morality trap.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #23 September 18, 2008 QuoteI'm helping my neice with a school application and one of the questions on her application was.... A plane has emergency landed on a deserted island with three survivors, the pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. There is only available water to barely keep only 2 of the passengers alive, but there may be enough time to get the plane fixed and flying again. Which of the 2 passengers should get the water and why? I'm looking for other peoples opinions, thanks. Can you check the wording on the question for us again. Just want to make sure you've quoted it exactly as written.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Squeak 17 #24 September 18, 2008 Quote Again, I maintain the question, as presented in the original post, is a morality trap. It would be a waste of time and energy if that's all it is. it's a critical thinking question. the pregnant pax could well be a pregnant DOG. using your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #25 September 18, 2008 Quoteusing your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time. I disagree. It's not the "softest" answer, it's the answer that takes a significantly different path from standard yet can still be "correct" depending on the actual circumstances being described. It takes into account set theory, a part of logic. A pilot is not a passenger. A pregnant woman can be a mechanic. A mechanic can be a passenger. Therefor the pregnant woman can be both the mechanic and be a passenger AND you can have a total of three survivors if you count the unborn. The unborn does not drink. Further, it also shows that whoever is answering the question isn't boxed into sexual stereotypes and has a regard for human life. My "guess" is that's what the pharma school was getting at in its application question. I'd LOVE to know what the "real" answer is supposed to be.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
quade 4 #22 September 18, 2008 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote You've missed the point. By assuming the pregnant woman is NOT either the pilot or mechanic, you're revealed a certain prejudice. Further, by assuming the unborn is NOT one of the survivors, that reveals another. The whole thing is a trap. Brush up on your reading skills Quade Quotethe pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. OK, so the pregnant woman is the mechanic then. My mistake. I mean, it clearly says "three survivors" right? Is the unborn alive or not? Again, I maintain the question, as presented in the original post, is a morality trap.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #23 September 18, 2008 QuoteI'm helping my neice with a school application and one of the questions on her application was.... A plane has emergency landed on a deserted island with three survivors, the pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. There is only available water to barely keep only 2 of the passengers alive, but there may be enough time to get the plane fixed and flying again. Which of the 2 passengers should get the water and why? I'm looking for other peoples opinions, thanks. Can you check the wording on the question for us again. Just want to make sure you've quoted it exactly as written.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Squeak 17 #24 September 18, 2008 Quote Again, I maintain the question, as presented in the original post, is a morality trap. It would be a waste of time and energy if that's all it is. it's a critical thinking question. the pregnant pax could well be a pregnant DOG. using your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #25 September 18, 2008 Quoteusing your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time. I disagree. It's not the "softest" answer, it's the answer that takes a significantly different path from standard yet can still be "correct" depending on the actual circumstances being described. It takes into account set theory, a part of logic. A pilot is not a passenger. A pregnant woman can be a mechanic. A mechanic can be a passenger. Therefor the pregnant woman can be both the mechanic and be a passenger AND you can have a total of three survivors if you count the unborn. The unborn does not drink. Further, it also shows that whoever is answering the question isn't boxed into sexual stereotypes and has a regard for human life. My "guess" is that's what the pharma school was getting at in its application question. I'd LOVE to know what the "real" answer is supposed to be.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
quade 4 #23 September 18, 2008 QuoteI'm helping my neice with a school application and one of the questions on her application was.... A plane has emergency landed on a deserted island with three survivors, the pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. There is only available water to barely keep only 2 of the passengers alive, but there may be enough time to get the plane fixed and flying again. Which of the 2 passengers should get the water and why? I'm looking for other peoples opinions, thanks. Can you check the wording on the question for us again. Just want to make sure you've quoted it exactly as written.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #24 September 18, 2008 Quote Again, I maintain the question, as presented in the original post, is a morality trap. It would be a waste of time and energy if that's all it is. it's a critical thinking question. the pregnant pax could well be a pregnant DOG. using your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #25 September 18, 2008 Quoteusing your logic (or lack of) is the softest option and would be a waste of time. I disagree. It's not the "softest" answer, it's the answer that takes a significantly different path from standard yet can still be "correct" depending on the actual circumstances being described. It takes into account set theory, a part of logic. A pilot is not a passenger. A pregnant woman can be a mechanic. A mechanic can be a passenger. Therefor the pregnant woman can be both the mechanic and be a passenger AND you can have a total of three survivors if you count the unborn. The unborn does not drink. Further, it also shows that whoever is answering the question isn't boxed into sexual stereotypes and has a regard for human life. My "guess" is that's what the pharma school was getting at in its application question. I'd LOVE to know what the "real" answer is supposed to be.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
