The Greater Good

A scenario to think about, let's say there is a train traveling down a track and on that track is a person. They are tied down and can't move. Now you have the power to pull a lever and divert the train onto a parallel track that has ten complete strangers tied down in the same manner. My question is who would you save? Is the life of one individual greater than the lives of ten or are the ten lives greater than the one? For most of you this will be a simple answer, you would save the ten strangers because it is the greater good. Now what if I told you that the single person was of significant value to you. Let's say it is your mom, now is her life more valuable than 10 people that you will never know? Some of you will probably change your answer but some of you will remain strong. Saving the ten lives is still the greater good. For those of you who are on the fence lets say we find out some information about the ten strangers. Let's say these 10 individuals are criminals convicted and found guilty of the worst crimes you can think of. Rape, murder, terrorism, ect... an so on. Now the choice is easy right? You are without a doubt gonna save your mom. It strange how information changes things. What we know can alter our thought is a split second. I still will let you ponder the question, is not saving the ten still the greater good? No matter what humans have done they are still human, they deserve to live just as much as anyone else. Or do they? Do our actions have consequences? Is there a point in which you can write someone life off at being worthless? How do you judge someones worth? On the flip side what if the ten individuals were scholars and one of them would eventually cure cancer or change the world in a significant way, and you had that information. Would you be strong enough to let your mom die for the greater good? Just some things I was thinking about feel free to leave any comments. Thanks for the read.