Transcript The Trolley Problem

The Trolley Problem
Trolley Problem A: “Bystander”
Trolley Problem 1: “Bystander”
• Here, we are told, it is at least permissible to not pull the lever.
• Perhaps, we are told, it is also obligatory to not pull the lever.
Trolley Problem B: “Transplant”
Trolley Problem 2: “Transplant”
• Unlike the “Bystander” problem, we are told that here it is
impermissible to perform the operations.
• On a utilitarian calculation, the cases are formally identical.
5
=
1
1
5
Trolley Problem C: “Drug”
Trolley Problem 3: “Drug”
• Given you haven’t promised the medicine to the one, it seems, it
is at least permissible that you give it to the five.
• It may even be required that you give the medicine to the five.
Trolley Problem D: “Fat Man”
Trolley Problem 4: “Fat Man”
• It seems immediately wrong to push the Fat Man.
• But, again, the numbers seem to line up.
• Further, in all four cases, you are an agent, you have to make a
choice, and perform an action based on this choice.
• So why are our instincts so different in the cases?
5
1
=
1
5
Analysis
• What happens if you choose not to act in each of the cases?
 In A, B, and D, it seems at least permissible that the result
of your actions should align with who would have died had
you not acted (or not been present to act).
A
B
C
D
Analysis (cont’d)
• Killing vs. Letting Die
 Complication: In C, if you choose not to act, everyone dies.
 Problem: Consider A', in which the trolley is heading at the
five, and you have the option to change tracks to point it at
the one.
A'
B
C
D