Assignment

1. Which of the ethical theories discussed in this week's lesson is most appealing to you? Are any of the theories morally superior to any of the others? Explain your answers.

2. Respond to the Trolley Problem discussed in this week's lesson. What would you do and why? On which ethical theory are you relying?

In reference to the Trolley Problem, my decision would be to pull the lever because the ending result would be for the greater good. According to our lessons references The Basics of Philosophy (2008), "Act Utilitarianism (or Case Utilitarianism) states that, when faced with a choice, we must first consider the likely consequences of potential actions in that particular case and, from that, choose to do what we believe will generate the most overall happiness".

Sparing five lives and taking one would be the right thing even if it did not seem moral or ethically sound. I would hope that anyone faced with this sort of dilemma would chose as I have even if it were me the lever was pulled on. Sacrificing me for the sake of my sisters or brothers as well as my team would be morally sound. Relying on the utilitarian theory supports my span of thought on this issue.

As far as the trolley problem, there appear to be several variations of it on the internet. I'll stick with the 5 workers on one track and 1 worker on the other track. I am not easy with making a decision that would take a life. Who am I to decide who lives and who doesn't? Do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few here? Taking the example given in our reading, knowing that there are five individuals tied to one set of tracks and one person standing on the other set of tracks, I would probably take a chance and send the trolley down the 'one person standing' track. I might be able to warn that person and that person has a greater chance of moving out of the way.

If I really want to get analytical about the scenario posed in our reading , I would consider the following: the reading doesn't say that there is anyone on the trolley. In my perfect world, the trolley is empty and has no conductor. That means I can half engage the track switch and derail the trolley. No lives are lost, I feel good, and the insurance company covered the cost of a new trolley. Deontology theory rules !!