Trolley Problem

A thought experiment where a runaway trolley is going to kill five people, or you can divert to a side track and kill one.

The Trolley Problem is a thought experiment where a runaway trolley is going to kill five people tied to one track, or you can divert the trolly to a side track and kill one person. Which is more ethical? The problem isn't just counting the fewest deaths, but in the nuance in letting something bad happen (indirect responsibility), or being directly responsible for the death of someone else.

ℹ️ Info

~ Aristotle Sabouni
Created: 2022-02-09

🗒️ Note:
The principle of double effect is whether a bad act be good, or the does intent change the morality of the consequences). The principle of double effect was being discussed with regards to abortion and the Trolley Problem was formalized out of that debate (circa 1976).

The Trolley Problem is a stylized ethical dilemma on whether to sacrifice one person to save a larger number.

Usually a runaway trolley is on course to kill a number of people (originally five), but as a bystander you can intervene and divert the vehicle to kill just one person on a different track. What is acceptable human sacrifice, and participation in it?

There are many variants of the Trolly Problem. Each can tease out the biases of the participant. What if the one is a child and the 5 are old people? Or race, what if you know the one (or the 5), and other biases? But the basics are not really whether 1 is less than 5, it's whether you think action that kills someone is better than inaction which will let many more die (if you do nothing).

A utilitarian view asserts that you have an obligation to save the most lives (the best course you can). Being present in this situation and being able to influence its outcome constitutes an obligation to participate and do the least harm. ≈90% of the public believes this, on surveys. The opposing viewpoint is that since moral wrongs are already in place in the situation, moving to another track constitutes a participation in the moral wrong, making you partially responsible for the death when otherwise no one would be responsibility. Death happens, but choosing to kill (even to save others) is still a choice you are making for the victim.

🔗 More

Thought
Things that make you go, “hmmm…”, or at least made me write about it.

Malevolent liberty or benevolent tyranny
Malevolent liberty is better than benevolent tyranny? The answer defines whether you value ends or means, actions or outcomes.

🔗 Links

Tags: Thought Malevolent liberty or benevolent tyranny/all