Trolley
You are watching an unfortunate scene unfolding. You are standing nearby trolley tracks. A trolley car is moving fast towards a fork. On the right side of the fork there are 2 older people stranded. On the left side - 5 young people. The trolley driver just realized he cannot stop the car. Right in front of you there is a big man standing, provided that if he is pushed forward by someone, he will die, but his body will stop the car. Please, select the most ethically justified action in this situation.
1. The driver should pick the right fork killing 2 older people instead of 5 young. The lesser of two evils is always better.
2. The driver should jump out of the car and let the destiny take its course.
3. I would push the big man to block the trolley with his body. Instead of loosing 2 or 5 people, I will chose to sacrifice one.
4. I would walk away and try to forget this incident.
In this case, I voted for number 2.
Stealing
Michael is a medical student. He desperately needs to pay his tuition. If he does not find money immediately, he will be expelled from the Med. School.
Michael kills and robs an old woman and steals enough cash from her to pay for school.
In the future, Michael becomes a genius doctor, who invents a miracle drug which saves millions of lives. Michael's initial crime is:
1. Justified by saving millions of other lives, his one crime produced greater results
2. Crime can never be justified no matter what the result may be.
In this case, I voted for number 2.
Motive
Mr. Hopkins is a billionaire. He doesn't like helping other people and loves his money for selfish reasons. It is time to pay taxes. His accountant tells him: "If you write a $2 million check to the orphanage #5, I will manage to save you $10 million in taxes." Mr. Hopkins doesn't care about the children, but to save money he writes the check. His donation, however, produces great benefit for the orphanage.
On the other hand, Kathy, a CSUN student, has only $50 in her pocket. She sends a $20 check to the same orphanage out of compassion. Whose actions are more moral?
1. The rich man is more moral, because it doesn't matter what he feels in his heart, he made the money and now he shared it with great results for children.
2. Kathy is more moral, because she did it not for show, or selfish reasons, but out of compassion.
3. Kathy's actions may be moral for her, but not for the society. Who cares if she has a good heart? Her money hardly made any difference, but the rich man produced better results. So Kathy's pure intention, but less money and Rich man's bad intention, but more money cancel each other out. They are both equal.
In this case, I voted for number 2.
What is the ethical dilemma about? (Trolley, Stealing, Motive)
Tell us how you voted and why?