The Trolley Problem: A Thought Experiment
A runaway trolley is heading toward 5 people who will die. You can pull a lever to divert it to a track with 1 person who will die. What do you do?
Questions to ponder
- Is it better to do nothing and let 5 die, or take action and cause 1 death?
- Does it matter that you actively pulled the lever?
- What if the 1 person is someone you love?
- What ethical framework are you using?
Concepts
- Utilitarianism vs Deontology
- Action vs Inaction
- Moral Responsibility
Related thinkers
- John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism)
- Immanuel Kant (Deontology)
Variations
- What if instead of pulling a lever, you had to push someone in front of the trolley?
- What if the 1 person is a doctor who could save 100 lives?
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