The Trolley Problem: Philosophy and the Real World

The Trolley Problem is a thought experiment in ethics where a runaway trolley is heading toward five people on the tracks. You can pull a lever to divert it onto another track, where only one person is present. The dilemma explores whether it’s morally acceptable to actively cause one person's deaths to save five others. It highlights complex questions about utilitarianism (maximizing overall good) versus deontological ethics (adherence to moral rules). In the real world, similar dilemmas arise in medical ethics, autonomous vehicle programming, and wartime decisions, prompting reflection on moral responsibility and the value of individual lives.