PHILOS 2 Chapter reader: Thomas: The Trolley Problem
10 Feb 2019
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The trolley problem: trolley driver, flip switch kill one save 5, common answer: permissible, some even say you must flip switch. S urgery: 5 in organ failure, use organs of sixth person to save five, common answer: not permissible. Conclusions so far: surgeon: killing one is worse than letting five die, trolley problem: killing five is worse than killing one. V: trolley is heading towards the five, you are nearby and can flip the switch to kill the one & save the five. Differences between bystander and trolley: bystander = private person and will harm no one if he does not flip switch, trolley driver = in charge of trolley, conclusion: bystander may flip switch but not morally required. If person has choice between doing something here and now which will kill five people and doing something else here and now that will kill one he ought to choose the second.
