The Trolley Problem -- An Introduction and discussion about Normative Ethics

In the following weeks, I would like to discuss about the trolley problem, which is the media to approach learning normative ethics (規範倫理學) in my opinion.

To begin with, what is the trolley problem? Consider the following situation: You are a driver of a runaway trolley. On the railway track are five workmen who are right in front of the trolley and can’t get out of the way. Now you have two choices: one is to do nothing and let the trolley bump into those workmen, while the other one is to switch the direction and divert the trolley to the side track, where there is only one worker immersing in his work. Would you choose to kill one and save five, or select the opposite?

Well, to answer this question, the philosophers think about three major approaches to viewing this moral dilemma and giving a reason for their choice.

The first one is utilitarianism (效益主義/功利主義), which locates morality just by the result of an act. That is, they judge good and evil mostly on the consequence of your action. And in this case, those who support this perspective will choose to divert the trolley because five lives are more valuable than one!

The second point of view is deontology (義務論), which think of morality as some duties and right. In other words, there are some of universal obligations and duties that we should abide by to approach morality. Specially, in the trolley problem, those who approves of this viewpoint will not choose to switch the trolley because if you switch it, then you will be responsible for the one life. However, if you doesn’t do any actions, then the responsibility of five lives would not be imposed on you!

The third viewpoint and more discussion will be post in the next few weeks. Let's expect it!