The Trolley Problem

[Jazzy]

A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you could flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track.

Source

Would you flip the switch?

 

[Jazzy]

Would you flip the switch?

Do I know any of the people tied to the tracks?

Let's pretend you do.

 

[Nebulous]

Blow up the trolley before it reaches anyone!

 

[Jazzy]

Blow up the trolley before it reaches anyone!

Even if the trolley was full of people?

 

[Phazite]

For me, it would depend on several factors such as how much the each person wanted to live and whether they were good people. Rationally speaking, if I didn't know anything about anyone and had no time to make the decision, I'd assume they were all decent people who wanted to be saved and would flip the switch. In reality, I'd probably hesitate because I wouldn't want to be or feel responsible for the single person's death.

 

[Nebulous]

Blow up the trolley before it reaches anyone!

Even if the trolley was full of people?

Oh. I'd get a city bus, drive up along side the trolley, unload everybody and then blow it up!

 

[Ladyvamptress]

A lot would go into this for me. Like age, if they have families, are they convicts or good people, etc. I wouldn't want children to die and people who have children to take care of. I also would choose to save an honest person over a crook. If I had no time to figure all this information out, I would flip the switch. Better to only lose 1 life.

 

[Bluezone777]

Surprise plot twist: You push the switch only to see the train split into two and go down both tracks killing everyone in turn revealing the lie that he told you when he claimed the switch would save one or the other.

He then goes on to mock you as he states the train wouldn't have hit anyone if you did nothing as it was set to stop if nothing was done but since he wanted to prove his point that you were selfish and would kill one to save the larger group.

He then laughs and walks off as you face the shame of your choice. I can see such a situation occurring if you were dealing with the insane.

i personally wouldn't do anything as I will not make myself complicit in his crime. You truly have no guarantee of anything as anyone willing to set that up is more then willing to tell a few lies to you so you will play his game. Why make yourself a part of his insanity as there is no wrongdoing in refusing to participate in such a "game" as that.

 

[Nebulous]

Surprise plot twist: You push the switch only to see the train split into two and go down both tracks killing everyone in turn revealing the lie that he told you when he claimed the switch would save one or the other.

He then goes on to mock you as he states the train wouldn't have hit anyone if you did nothing as it was set to stop if nothing was done but since he wanted to prove his point that you were selfish and would kill one to save the larger group.

He then laughs and walks off as you face the shame of your choice. I can see such a situation occurring if you were dealing with the insane.

i personally wouldn't do anything as I will not make myself complicit in his crime. You truly have no guarantee of anything as anyone willing to set that up is more then willing to tell a few lies to you so you will play his game. Why make yourself a part of his insanity as there is no wrongdoing in refusing to participate in such a "game" as that.

:Lol: Nice one +1