Philosophy Now Forum

Rick Coste says the solution depends upon what we’ll realistically allow.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/154/A_Solution_to_the_Trolley_Problem

Philosophy Now wrote: ↑Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:29 am Rick Coste says the solution depends upon what we’ll realistically allow.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/154/A_ ... ey_Problem

This is a real problem now that is confronting programmers of self-driving cars. Does a programmer code to prioritse the avoidance of running down the young and kill the elderly in a situation where it's one or the other? So many things for a geek to think about these days.

The only satisfactory solution for me is to throw myself on the tracks to protect everyone else. Otherwise, the trolley breaking free is an act of God and we know God is good and doesn't make mistakes. Those track workers probably deserve it anyway.

I give up. God wins in the end. He always does. Either might makes right or those track workers were rich capitalists who exploited the working class in another life and get what they deserve I guess.

Philosophy Now wrote: ↑Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:29 am Rick Coste says the solution depends upon what we’ll realistically allow.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/154/A_ ... ey_Problem

This is NOT a so-called 'solution' AT ALL, as it just added MORE problems and issues here.

I use the trolley problem to introduce utilitarianism to my A Level students, but I add a third scenario to the mix, to confound the hardened students who would push the fat man off the bridge, as follows: Just as you're about to push him off the bridge, you notice that the fat man is none other than Professor Protein, who is about to go on TV tomorrow to reveal his new, effective wonder-drug for cancer treatment. He's the only one who knows the formula!
Do you continue to push him of the bridge?