Trolley Problem

Definition

The trolley problem is a thought experiment in ethics that explores the moral implications of decision-making when faced with a dilemma involving life and death. It typically presents a scenario where an individual must choose between pulling a lever to divert a runaway trolley onto a track where it will kill one person instead of five. This thought experiment raises questions about utilitarianism, individual rights, and the nature of moral responsibility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The trolley problem was first introduced by philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967 and later expanded by Judith Jarvis Thomson.
2. It presents a conflict between consequentialist thinking, which prioritizes outcomes, and deontological ethics, which focuses on adherence to rules or duties.
3. Different variations of the trolley problem exist, such as the 'fat man' scenario, which raises further questions about moral permissibility and personal agency.
4. Responses to the trolley problem often reflect deeper moral intuitions and highlight the complexity of ethical decision-making in real-life situations.
5. Psychological studies have shown that people's responses to the trolley problem can vary based on cultural backgrounds, personal beliefs, and emotional factors.

Review Questions

• How does the trolley problem illustrate the conflict between utilitarianism and deontological ethics?
  • The trolley problem highlights the tension between utilitarianism, which advocates for actions that maximize overall happiness (saving five lives over one), and deontological ethics, which emphasizes moral duties and rules (not actively causing harm). In deciding whether to pull the lever to redirect the trolley, a utilitarian would likely argue in favor of this action due to its beneficial outcome. Conversely, a deontologist might contend that pulling the lever is wrong because it involves intentionally causing harm to an individual, regardless of the greater good.
• Discuss how different variations of the trolley problem challenge our understanding of moral permissibility.
  • Variations of the trolley problem, such as scenarios involving personal involvement or different methods of causing harm, complicate our understanding of what is morally permissible. For instance, in the 'fat man' variation, participants must decide whether to push a large person onto the track to stop the trolley. This introduces factors like personal involvement and emotional distance that affect moral judgments. Such scenarios reveal that context matters greatly in ethical decision-making, leading to diverse responses even among those who share similar philosophical beliefs.
• Evaluate how psychological research has influenced our understanding of moral intuition in relation to the trolley problem.
  • Psychological research has shed light on how people's moral intuitions can influence their decisions in situations like the trolley problem. Studies suggest that emotional responses often play a crucial role in shaping our ethical judgments, leading individuals to make choices based on feelings rather than purely rational calculations. Factors such as cultural background and personal beliefs further complicate these responses, indicating that morality is not solely an abstract philosophical issue but is deeply rooted in human psychology and social context. This insight challenges traditional ethical theories by emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior in moral reasoning.

Related terms

Utilitarianism: An ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility, often used in discussions of the trolley problem.

Deontology: An ethical framework that focuses on the morality of actions themselves rather than the consequences, opposing utilitarian perspectives found in trolley problem discussions.

Moral Dilemma: A situation in which a person faces conflicting moral principles, making it challenging to determine the right course of action, exemplified by scenarios like the trolley problem.