Student Question
Is it right to pull a switch to divert a train, thereby killing one person instead of five? Is it right to push a man onto tracks to stop a train to save five people? Do you see any difference between these scenarios?
Quick answer:
The ethical dilemma of diverting a train to kill one person instead of five versus pushing a man onto the tracks to save five highlights moral complexities. The first scenario involves a detached action of pulling a switch, while the second requires direct physical intervention. This difference can affect moral judgment, as some may find indirect action more permissible than direct harm. Ultimately, these scenarios challenge individuals to examine their ethical beliefs about the value of life and moral responsibility.
The Trolley Problem was first introduced to students by Philippa Foot in 1967 and poses an interesting ethical dilemma. To answer it, you need to consider the following two questions. Firstly, is it better to sacrifice one person (the minority) in order to save the lives of the majority? Essentially, this question is asking you to reflect on the value of human life. You must think carefully about whether you believe that one life is worth more or less than the lives of many.
Secondly, to compound the first problem, you also have to consider the physical aspects of sacrificing a life. In the original version of the Trolley Problem, for example, all you have to do is pull a switch. You are not, in any way, connected to the person who will die. But in the second version, you have to physically push over the man. This means that you are actively involved in sacrificing a life and, for some people, this is much more difficult than simply pulling a switch.
Ultimately, it is your only moral values that will help you to answer these questions. For some people, killing a person is wrong, regardless of the circumstances, while others believe that a sacrifice is sometimes worth making.
Remember that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers here; the Trolley Problem wants you think deeply about the value of life and reflect on your own ethical code.
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