English philosopher Philippa Foot is credited with introducing this version of the trolley problem in 1967, though another philosopher, Judith Thomson
Is there a correct answer to the trolley problem?
No Solution , No Problem
Like most philosophical problems, the Trolley Problem is not designed to have a solution.
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.
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.
What is wrong with the Trolley Problem?
The trolley problem is part of almost every introductory course on ethics, and it’s about a vehicle killing people. ... As the trolley driver, you are not responsible for the failure of the brakes or the presence of the workers on the track, so doing nothing means the unintentional death of five people.
What is the best solution to the trolley problem?
The only way to save the lives of the five workers is to divert the trolley onto another track that only has one worker on it . If Adam diverts the trolley onto the other track, this one worker will die, but the other five workers will be saved.
What is the trolley problem an example of?
The trolley problem is a thought experiment in ethics about a fictional scenario in which an onlooker has the choice to save 5 people in danger of being hit by a trolley, by diverting the trolley to kill just 1 person.
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 ...
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 .
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 ...
What is an ethical dilemma example?
Some examples of ethical dilemma examples include: Taking credit for others’ work . Offering a client a worse product for your own profit . Utilizing inside knowledge for your own profit .
Where does the trolley problem come from?
The “trolley problem” is generally believed to have been invented by an English philosopher by the name of Philippa Foot . She was born in 1920 and taught for many years at Oxford. The trolley problem was further developed and made popular by another woman philosopher, Judith Jarvis Thomson, who teaches at M. I. T.
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.
What medical problems did the trolley driver suffer from?
The trolley’s driver had a malignant tumor of the bone . A few days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was no hope of recovery.
Would you pull the trolley lever?
The Trolley Problem: In Defence Of Doing Nothing
If you pull the lever, you’re causing the death of the one person. Causing people to die seems like killing. And killing people is wrong. Ergo, we shouldn’t pull the lever .
Would you push the fat man off the bridge?
Unless the train is stopped, it will inevitably kill all five men. ... However, a fat man, a stranger, is standing next to you: if you push him off the bridge, he will topple onto the line and, although he will die, his chunky body will stop the train, saving five lives.
