The problem is whether they &quot;know that it is the right thing&quot; vs. just do it because the negative repercussions are not felt strongly enough to deter him in circumstances when it is <i>not</i> the right thing.<p>Perhaps the butcher knife and the capsule is too extreme, but on the other hand, perhaps just having to issue some codes is too easy.<p>The situations where a nuclear counter-attack serves any moral purpose are limited enough that such thought experiment are worthwhile means or considering what level of deterrence should be in place.