Trolleyproblem

Morality

Morality is about what is right and what is wrong. However, things are not as black and white as it may seem. Take for example the Trolley problem:

The trolley problem is a thought experiment. The problem is this:

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 tied up on the side track. You have two options:

  1. Do nothing, and the trolley kills 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 best choice?