A Trolley Problem...?

Question

OK. Let's say your feet are tied to a track where a runaway trolley is speeding towards you. There is a switch next to you that if you pull, will change the direction of the track. But if you pull it, it would derail the train, causing it to plough through a nearby town, killing everybody in the streets. What would you do?

Answer 1

This question and many similar to it, is the question that Utilitarians ask to show that all actions should be taken to provide the most good to the most people all the time. It says that we as individuals should NEVER go for the best for an individual over the masses. They never take in the consideration the needs of individual.

But it is also easy to structure a rebuttal to this type question to show that this type philosophy is without merit. For instance, and in real life too. The Nazis felt that Germany would be a much better country if there were no Jews in their country so that started the concentration camps to rid them of their blight. By Utilitarian thinking and principles this would be the correct thing for them to do.

Answer 2

What a situation! I frankly don't know. If I chose to live and let many people die, I'll have to carry a big guilt for the rest of my life (Which makes it a living hell), and if I chose to let people live, I'll lose my life altogether...Wow! Where did you come up with this?

Answer 3

i'd rather save my feet than save a town full of people but i'd rather save a town full of people than save my life.

(did u happen to read a certain time magazine article which prompted this question.)

Answer 4

Throw the switch and let God sort it out.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 5

I would save myself and then get the hell out of Dodge.