So, what is one to do? Foot’s own response to the Trolley Problem was that the morally justified action would be to steer the trolley to kill the one workman, thus saving a net four lives .
What your answer to the trolley problem says about you?
In the Trolley Problem, a train is hurtling down the tracks towards five men stuck in its path. ... The utilitarian answer is that the moral decision is to sacrifice the heavyweight man, because you’d still be killing one to save five .
What does the trolley problem teach us?
The trolley problem is a question of human morality , and an example of a philosophical view called consequentialism. This view says that morality is defined by the consequences of an action, and that the consequences are all that matter. ... It’s a question of human morality.
What is Thomson’s solution to the trolley problem?
In “The Trolley Problem,” Thomson offered a solution—call this her First Solu- tion—according to which the bystander may flip the switch in Bystander be- cause were he to do so (1) he makes what was threatening five come to threaten only one and (2) he does so not by any means that constitute an infringement of any ...
How does Kant respond to trolley problem?
Trolley Problem Under Kantianism
Now that we’ve been roughly introduced to Kant’s moral philosophy, we can examine what a Kantist would do when faced with the trolley problem. ... The simple answer is that Kantianism does not allow for the pushing of the lever; you shouldn’t kill one to save five.
Who posed the Trolley Problem?
Philippa Foot , a philosopher who argued that moral judgments have a rational basis, and who introduced the renowned ethical thought experiment known as the Trolley Problem, died at her home in Oxford, England, on Oct. 3, her 90th birthday.
Why is the Trolley Problem a dilemma?
Trolley problems highlight the difference between deontological and consequentialist ethical systems . The central question that these dilemmas bring to light is on whether or not it is right to actively inhibit the utility of an individual if doing so produces a greater utility for other individuals.
What question does the Trolley Problem raise?
To the wider world, and perhaps especially to undergraduate philosophy students, she is best known for inventing the Trolley Problem, which raises the question of why it seems permissible to steer a trolley aimed at five people toward one person while it seems impermissible to do something such as killing one healthy ...
Is the Trolley Problem realistic?
The trolley problem is designed to be moral thought experiment, but it could get very real in the very near future . This time, it won’t be a human at the controls, but your autonomous vehicle.
Is the Trolley Problem useful?
The morality of actions cannot just be decided by public votes. Yet, despite all its shortcomings, the Trolley Problem remains an exciting and useful approach . It is extremely unlikely someone will ever encounter a situation where a fat man could be thrown from a bridge in order to save five people.
What is an example of moral dilemma?
A moral dilemma is a conflict of morals, where you are forced to choose between two or more options and you have a moral reason to choose and not choose each option. ... An example of a moral dilemma is having to choose between saving a dog from a fire or saving your sister .
Is the Trolley Problem an ethical dilemma?
The “Trolley Dilemma’ is an ethical thought experiment where there is a runaway trolley moving down railway tracks. In its path, there are five people tied up and unable to move and the trolley is heading straight for them. People are told that they are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever.
Which of the following dilemmas are variations on the Trolley Problem?
Normative claims state the way things ought to be. Which of the following dilemmas are variations on the trolley problem? The doctor problem and the large man next to the train tracks.
What is Kant’s universal law?
Kant calls this the formula of universal law. ... The formula of universal law therefore says that you should should only act for those reasons which have the following characteristic : you can act for that reason while at the same time willing that it be a universal law that everyone adopt that reason for acting.
What is the difference between rule and act utilitarianism?
There is a difference between rule and act utilitarianism. The act utilitarian considers only the results or consequences of the single act while the rule utilitarian considers the consequences that result of following a rule of conduct .
What is the original trolley problem?
In the first trolley dilemma, the person who pulls the lever is saving the life of the five workers and letting the one person die . After all, pulling the lever does not inflict direct harm on the person on the side track.
