🏛 Philippa Foot·The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect·20th Century (1967)
The Trolley Problem
Utilitarian calculation versus moral duty: can you sacrifice one to save five?
Original Copperplate Engraving · Atlas of Thinkers
SCENARIO & DILEMMA
A runaway streetcar is hurtling down the tracks. Ahead, five workers are tied up and cannot escape. You stand next to a switch that will divert the trolley onto a side spur where only one person is working. If you pull the lever, one dies and five live. If you do nothing, five die.