Trolley Problem: 5 people are tied to train tracks and are about to be hit by a trolley. Do you allow it to happen, or do you pull the lever, causing the trolley to hit just one person instead of the five?

Let’s assume you don’t have enough time to go untie the victims but DO have enough time to analyze the situation and react. I’d probably pull the lever because, although the death of the one victim is unfortunate, I would be saving five lives in the process. In a perfect world, you’d be able to save all six victims, but pulling the lever seems like the lesser of two evils.

Then I would go kick the ass of whoever’s going around tying people to train tracks.

  • @NorthWestWind
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    42 years ago

    Do nothing, so I legally have no responsibility over their deaths

  • Temple Square
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    32 years ago

    Realistically:

    I’ll run around yelling and screaming and waving my arms. In my panic, I’ll likely do nothing and the switch will remain unadjusted in ALL scenarios.

  • @FollyDolly
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    32 years ago

    I’d choose to save the five poeple over the one person. Then I would feel guilty about it for the rest of my life, and probably develop a drinking problem.

  • @LizardKing15
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    12 years ago

    Most likely not do anything out of fear of getting sued, or just pure fear.

  • lettruthout
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    12 years ago

    I’d pull the lever very quickly, allowing only the front wheels to change, but not the back wheels. This would derail the train. All people would be safe.