Description
The Trolley Problem is one of the most famous thought-experiments in ethics. It was originally developed by Phillippa Foot. The version below is one developed by Judith Jarvis Thomson. Yes, it was utilized in TV series, The Good Life.
“Suppose you are the driver of a trolley. The trolley rounds a bend, and there come into view ahead five track workmen, who have been repairing the track. The track goes through a bit of a valley at that point, and the sides are steep, so you must stop the trolley if you are to avoid running the five men down. You step on the brakes, but alas they don’t work. Now you suddenly see a spur of track leading off to the right. You can turn the trolley onto it, and thus save the five men on the straight track ahead. Unfortunately, there is one track workman on that spur of track. He can no more get off the track in time than the five can, so you will kill him if you turn the trolley onto him” (Thomson 1985, 1395).
Discussion question: What would you do? Defend your position
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