Not sure I really buy this. You have two choices: use it or don’t. If you use it, it will either kill somebody or it won’t; if you don’t use it, it surely won’t kill anybody. The probability of the former case is obviously extraordinarily low, but the probability of the latter causing a death is surely many times lower. The only thing that matters for morality IMO is the ratio of these probabilities, not the absolute difference.
Every time someone steps behind the wheel of the car, the (apparent) chances of them causing a death is so many times higher than writing a name in a Death Note that the latter is completely negligible.
Would it be immoral to drive a car without utility? Maybe so, but only a little immoral, surely. You don’t deserve to go to jail for taking a joyride around the block.
I can think of reasons to write a name in a Death Note, like trying to prove to someone that it doesn’t work.
A joyride has its own value. If there were literally no utility – you’re driving a car for no reason, not even to have fun – then yeah it’s immoral, as it just puts people in danger and pollutes the planet.
As for uses for an impotent death note, fair enough, you’re right.
Not sure I really buy this. You have two choices: use it or don’t. If you use it, it will either kill somebody or it won’t; if you don’t use it, it surely won’t kill anybody. The probability of the former case is obviously extraordinarily low, but the probability of the latter causing a death is surely many times lower. The only thing that matters for morality IMO is the ratio of these probabilities, not the absolute difference.
Every time someone steps behind the wheel of the car, the (apparent) chances of them causing a death is so many times higher than writing a name in a Death Note that the latter is completely negligible.
true, but using a car has its own utility.
Would it be immoral to drive a car without utility? Maybe so, but only a little immoral, surely. You don’t deserve to go to jail for taking a joyride around the block.
I can think of reasons to write a name in a Death Note, like trying to prove to someone that it doesn’t work.
A joyride has its own value. If there were literally no utility – you’re driving a car for no reason, not even to have fun – then yeah it’s immoral, as it just puts people in danger and pollutes the planet.
As for uses for an impotent death note, fair enough, you’re right.