I’m working on a philosophy discussion question and need guidance to help me learn.
For this discussion, I want you to consider a classic ethical dilemma that philosophers use to explore how different ethical systems or theories might respond to a given situation. The dilemma is called the ‘Trolley Problem’, and reads as follows:
“There is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a different set of tracks. However, you notice that there is one person on the side-track. You have two options:
1. Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track.
2. Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side-track where it will kill one person.
Which is the more ethical option? Or, more simply: What is the right thing to do?”
How would you respond to the Trolley Problem and why? In other words, what would you do in this situation and why would you make that choice?
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