Lift out the switch lever, push it in front of wheels to derail the trolley, then remove the trapped people from the track. In other words, reset the analogy beyond perceived confines.
It's also interesting to consider how judgements of value and worthiness enter the equation. One's choice may depend on their assessment of each potential victim, either inherent value or value toward some goal or ideal.
Of course, fixing the broken "trolley system" would be a preferable option.
This seems to be the main differentiator between those celebrating and condemning the shooting.
While some feel this was a necessary and acceptable act required to spark change in a broken system, most people will fall back on the “murder is bad” principle.
It is hard to justify an utilitarian approach to the problem, I would consider murder all the variation of the trolley problem. I hope however that in the case of the healthcare CEO, it would still spark some conversation and changes in that obviously bad system. Pulling the lever is wrong, the only option is to try to fix the rails and not let the situation repeat forever.
As in the case of this surgical metaphor. I would've run from the controllings and let the trolley decide for itself. I wouldn't bring myself to kill anyone, NOT the healthy innocent one for the sake of sick dying ones for sure.
But on the turning table, from an authoritative perspective. "Killing a robber/rapist/murderer would save many lives."
Lift out the switch lever, push it in front of wheels to derail the trolley, then remove the trapped people from the track. In other words, reset the analogy beyond perceived confines.
I like that you’re thinking outside the box about this Paul — and appreciate you engaging.
There are loads of fun twists on the trolley problem that can be really interesting to think deeply about.
It's also interesting to consider how judgements of value and worthiness enter the equation. One's choice may depend on their assessment of each potential victim, either inherent value or value toward some goal or ideal.
Of course, fixing the broken "trolley system" would be a preferable option.
This seems to be the main differentiator between those celebrating and condemning the shooting.
While some feel this was a necessary and acceptable act required to spark change in a broken system, most people will fall back on the “murder is bad” principle.
I think the former is a slippery slope.
Wouldn’t the healthcare CEO situation be the fat man on the bridge variant. Also without the guarantee that it will save the five?
Probably more accurate, but it felt like too much to get into.
My newsletter posts tend to be very short and are intended to be basic introductions to a wide range of ideas.
If we were being a bit more nuanced about it, I think you’re right.
Except in this trolley problem, the single person tied the group of others to the track.
Very interesting way to connect the recent events with the trolley thought experiment!
I first encountered it with Harvard university lecture on Justice that can be found online: https://youtu.be/kBdfcR-8hEY?si=MkiLOx1OUlzdrxc1
It is hard to justify an utilitarian approach to the problem, I would consider murder all the variation of the trolley problem. I hope however that in the case of the healthcare CEO, it would still spark some conversation and changes in that obviously bad system. Pulling the lever is wrong, the only option is to try to fix the rails and not let the situation repeat forever.
As in the case of this surgical metaphor. I would've run from the controllings and let the trolley decide for itself. I wouldn't bring myself to kill anyone, NOT the healthy innocent one for the sake of sick dying ones for sure.
But on the turning table, from an authoritative perspective. "Killing a robber/rapist/murderer would save many lives."
It’s a tough problem, but that’s probably why it’s so famous — it divides opinion.
I would hope that most people would agree that killing a healthy person to harvest their organs for others is an objectivey ‘bad’ thing to do.
It’s interesting to see many people support the shooter in this case as it goes against your intuition.
One could derail the train
Interesting take on a classic. And I like your surgery example… close to home ;)
Thanks Cheyne! Glad you liked it.
I think the trolley problem is often approached from a utilitarian perspective as it’s easy to fall back on numbers.
Unfortunately ethics isn’t as simple as that, and context matters.
That stresses me out just looking at it.